PLASMOTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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Plasmotomy is a biological process that involves the division or separation of the cytoplasm of a cell without the simultaneous division of the nucleus. It occurs in certain types of unicellular organisms, such as protozoans, as a means of asexual reproduction or cell division.
During plasmotomy, a single-celled organism with a single nucleus undergoes cytokinesis, which is the division of the cytoplasm. Instead of undergoing mitosis to create two identical daughter cells, plasmotomy leads to the formation of two or more daughter cells, each containing a portion of the original parent cytoplasm, but with only one nucleus. This division allows the organism to reproduce and multiply without having to undergo complete cell division and duplication of genetic material.
The process of plasmotomy involves the formation of a constriction or indentation in the cell membrane, known as a cleavage furrow or cell plate, which gradually deepens until the cytoplasm is divided into two or more separate parts. The resulting cells, known as plasmoids, contain a single nucleus each. These plasmoids can continue their individual growth and development, eventually maturing into fully functional, independent organisms.
Since plasmotomy does not involve the formation of new nuclei or the exchange of genetic material, it is considered a form of asexual reproduction. This process is distinct from karyokinesis, which refers to the division of the nucleus, and often occurs in conjunction with plasmotomy to complete the overall cell division and reproduction in these organisms.
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A form of mitosis in multinuclear protozoan cells in which the cytoplasm divides into two or more masses, then reproducing later, in some cases by sporulation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PLASMOTOMY
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Etymology of PLASMOTOMY
The word "plasmotomy" is derived from the combination of two Greek terms: "plasma" and "tomy".
The term "plasma" (πλάσμα) in Greek means "something molded or formed". In biology, it specifically refers to the fluid portion of the cytoplasm within cells. The word "plasma" originated from the Greek verb "plassein", meaning "to mold" or "to shape".
The suffix "tomy" comes from the Greek word "tomē" (τομή), which means "a cutting" or "a section". In scientific terminology, "tomy" is used to denote a surgical or instrumental cutting operation or incision.
Thus, when combined, "plasmotomy" refers to a process of dividing or cutting the cytoplasm within cells, which can occur in certain organisms during reproduction or cellular processes such as binary fission.
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