Biology · Cell Cycle and Cell Division · NEET
Karyokinesis comes first. The M phase starts with nuclear division (karyokinesis), where daughter chromosomes separate, and it usually ends with cytoplasm division (cytokinesis). So the order is: karyokinesis then cytokinesis. NEET 2024 tested exactly this order, so never reverse the two.
No. Karyokinesis is only the nuclear division part. Mitosis (M phase) = karyokinesis + cytokinesis. Karyokinesis itself is divided into 4 stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Cytokinesis is a separate step that divides the cytoplasm after karyokinesis.
If the nucleus divides (karyokinesis) but the cytoplasm does not divide (no cytokinesis), you get more than one nucleus inside a single cell. This multinucleate condition is called a syncytium. NCERT's example is the liquid endosperm of coconut. If a whole extra chromosome set stays in one cell, it can cause polyploidy (NEET 2016).
No, that is a common mistake. Cytokinesis divides the CYTOPLASM, not the nucleus. The nucleus is already divided during karyokinesis. Cytokinesis just physically splits the cell body into two.
In animal cells, cytokinesis happens by a furrow (a pinch) in the plasma membrane that deepens inward until the cell splits. In plant cells, the rigid cell wall cannot pinch, so a cell-plate forms in the CENTRE and grows outward to meet the side walls. This cell-plate becomes the middle lamella. Karyokinesis is the same in both.
Following are the stages of cell division: A. Gap 2 phase B. Cytokinesis C. Synthesis phase D. Karyokinesis E. Gap 1 phase. Choose the correct sequence of stages from the options given below:
A cell at telophase is observed in a plant from the field. There is no formation of cell plate and the cell contains more chromosomes than other dividing cells. This would result in:
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Karyokinesis is the division of the nucleus, in which the duplicated chromosomes separate into two equal daughter nuclei.
Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm that splits one cell into two daughter cells, completing cell division.
Karyokinesis = nuclear (karyon = nucleus) division. Cytokinesis = cytoplasm (cyto = cell body) division.
Yes. When karyokinesis is not followed by cytokinesis, a multinucleate cell called a syncytium forms, for example the liquid endosperm of coconut.
Yes. The M phase includes both karyokinesis (the four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) and cytokinesis at the end.
