ANTIMITOTIC AGENTS Meaning and
Definition
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Antimitotic agents, also known as mitosis inhibitors, are a class of drugs that target and inhibit the process of mitosis, which is the division of a cell into two identical daughter cells. These agents primarily work by interfering with the normal function of microtubules, the structural components of a cell that help in the formation of the spindle fibers required for mitosis. They disrupt the assembly and disassembly of microtubules, ultimately leading to the arrest of cell division at different stages of the cell cycle.
Antimitotic agents have a wide range of applications in the field of medicine, particularly in cancer treatment. By preventing the proliferation of cancer cells, these agents play a crucial role in slowing down or halting the growth of tumors. They can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy to optimize the treatment outcome. Additionally, antimitotic agents may also be employed to treat certain non-cancerous conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
However, the use of antimitotic agents is not without risks and side effects. Since these drugs target rapidly dividing cells, they may also affect normal, healthy cells in the body that have high rates of division. This can lead to unwanted side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal disturbances, hair loss, and impaired wound healing. Nonetheless, the benefits of antimitotic agents in controlling the abnormal cell growth associated with cancer often outweigh the potential adverse effects.
Common Misspellings for ANTIMITOTIC AGENTS
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Etymology of ANTIMITOTIC AGENTS
The etymology of the word "antimitotic agents" can be broken down as follows:
1. Anti-: The prefix "anti-" is derived from the Greek word "anti", meaning "against" or "opposite". It is commonly used in English to indicate opposition or counteraction.
2. Mitotic: The term "mitotic" comes from the Greek word "mitos", which means "thread". In biology, "mitosis" refers to the process of cell division, where a single cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. "Mitotic" is an adjective form referring to anything related to mitosis.
3. Agents: The word "agents" comes from Latin "agens", which means "doer". In this context, it refers to substances or drugs that perform a particular action or have a specific effect.
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