cytokinesis
/ˌsaɪ.təʊ.kɪˈniː.sɪs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The final stage of cell division when one cell splits into two separate cells. In animals, the cell membrane pinches in. In plants, a new wall forms between the two cells.
- Cytokinesis happens after the chromosomes separate.
- Plant cells complete cytokinesis with a new cell plate.
- The teacher explained cytokinesis in biology class.
Adinary Nuance
Cytokinesis is not the same as mitosis. Mitosis is the division of the nucleus, while cytokinesis is the splitting of the whole cell. In biology, people often mention them together, but they are different steps.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phân chia tế bào
- Spanish
- citocinesis
- Chinese
- 胞质分裂
- Japanese
- 細胞質分裂
- Korean
- 세포질분열
Etymology
Cytokinesis comes from Greek kytos, meaning “cell,” and kinesis, meaning “movement.” It entered scientific English in the late 19th century.
Common phrases
during cytokinesisafter cytokinesiscytokinesis in plant cellscytokinesis in animal cells
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is cytokinesis the same as mitosis?
- No. Mitosis divides the nucleus, and cytokinesis divides the cell itself.
- Is cytokinesis a common word?
- It is common in biology classes, but not in everyday conversation.
- How do I use cytokinesis in a sentence?
- You can say, “Cytokinesis completes cell division.”
- Is cytokinesis used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a standard scientific word in biology and medicine.