What does karyokinesis mean?
Karyokinesis is the biological process by which a cell nucleus divides into two daughter nuclei during mitosis. The duplicated chromosomes are separated so that each new nucleus receives a complete and essentially equivalent set of genetic material. The term is especially useful when discussing the nuclear phase of cell division separately from cytokinesis, the division of the surrounding cytoplasm that ultimately produces two daughter cells. Karyokinesis is most often encountered in cytology, histology, cell biology, and descriptions of mitosis in animals and plants. Although “mitosis” is sometimes used as a synonym, it can also refer to the broader process of cell division, making karyokinesis the more technically specific expression for nuclear division itself.
nounThe division of a cell nucleus into two genetically equivalent daughter nuclei, usually accompanied by division of the surrounding cytoplasm. In its strict biological sense, it is the nuclear stage of mitosis, excluding cytokinesis.
- The division of a cell nucleus into two daughter nuclei during the mitotic phase of cell division.
"The chromosomes became visibly condensed as karyokinesis began."
"Microscopy showed that the cell had entered karyokinesis, with sister chromatids separating."
"The laboratory worksheet asks students to distinguish karyokinesis from the subsequent division of the cytoplasm."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instances of nuclear division.
"The study compared karyokineses in healthy and damaged cells."
Karyokinesis is the moment when one nucleus becomes two—the nuclear centerpiece of ordinary cell division.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of karyokinesis
Karyokinesis combines the Greek-derived combining form karyo-, meaning “nucleus,” with kinesis, a Greek word meaning “movement.” The compound therefore literally describes the movement or division of the nucleus. The form became established in biological usage during the study of mitosis and remains chiefly a technical term in cell biology.
Related word forms
How karyokinesis is actually used
This is a specialized biological term. It is often used interchangeably with nuclear division, but it is more precise than mitosis when the surrounding division of the cell is not under discussion.
Easily confused with karyokinesis
Karyokinesis is the division of the cell nucleus, whereas cytokinesis is the division of the cell's cytoplasm to form two daughter cells.
Mitosis may refer to the complete process of cell division, including nuclear division and cytokinesis, while karyokinesis more specifically denotes division of the nucleus.