Endomitosis (ɛnˌdoʊmɑɪˈtoʊsɪs) is a biological process in which nuclear division occurs within a cell without the accompanying cytokinesis, resulting in a cell with multiple nuclei. The word's spelling follows the rules of English phonetics, with an initial stress on the second syllable and a long "o" sound in the third syllable. The use of the prefix "endo-" indicates that this process occurs within a cell, while "mitosis" refers to the division of the cell's nuclei.
Endomitosis refers to a specific type of cell division that can occur in certain cells, resulting in the duplication of genetic material without subsequent cytokinesis or cell division. It is a variant of mitosis, one of the two major processes involved in cell division.
During endomitosis, the chromosomes within a cell replicate themselves, producing two identical sets of genetic material. However, unlike in normal mitosis where the cell would then divide into two separate cells, endomitosis does not involve cell division. As a result, the cell remains as a single entity with more than one nucleus, each containing the replicated genetic material.
This type of cell division is frequently observed in specialized cells such as muscle cells, where the process allows for an increase in cell size and the presence of multiple nuclei within a single cytoplasm. This can be particularly advantageous in muscle cells that require increased protein production for their function, as the greater number of nuclei allows for more efficient gene expression and synthesis of necessary proteins.
In summary, endomitosis is a type of cell division where the genetic material is replicated within a cell but does not lead to the formation of two separate cells. Instead, it results in a single cell with multiple nuclei, which is commonly observed in specialized cells like muscle cells for enhanced protein production and cellular function.
The word "endomitosis" is derived from two Greek roots: "endo" meaning "within" and "mitosis" meaning "the process of cell division".
"Endo" (ἔνδον) comes from the Greek preposition en (ἐν) meaning "in, within", implying something occurring or located inside or within a certain object or entity.
"Mitosis" (μίτος) comes from the Greek word mitos (μίτος) meaning "thread" or "strand". It specifically refers to the process of cell division in which the replicated chromosomes are divided into two identical sets of chromosomes, resulting in the formation of two daughter cells.
When combined, "endomitosis" refers to a specific type of cell division known as endoreduplication or endoreplication.