In some cells, mitosis occurs without cytokinesis. What would the resulting cell look like?
1 Answer
The resulting cell would have more than one nucleus.
Explanation:
Mitosis (a phase in the cell cycle) occurs after the DNA in a cell has been duplicated, meaning there are two sets of chromosomes in one cell. During mitosis, these two sets of chormosomes are separated and two identical nuclei are formed within the cell.
Usually, cytokinesis is the last phase in mitosis in which the contents of the cell (cytoplasm and nuclei) are divided over two separate, identical daughter cells. The result of mitosis without cytokinesis will be a cell with more than one nucleus.
Such a cell is called a multinucleated cell. This can be a normal process. For example, humans have certain multinucleated bone cells (osteoclasts) that are formed this way. Mitosis without cytokinesis is also observed in the early development of certain insects such as the fruit fly (Drosophila). It can also be a sign of a disturbed cell cycle, which is a pathological process sometimes seen in tumors.
