Definition

1. Adjective: Of or relating to the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following the division of the nucleus.

Usage

The adjective cytokinetic is used exclusively in cell biology to describe processes, structures, or events directly associated with cytokinesis. It is a technical term and is not used in everyday language.

Examples

• The cytokinetic furrow is a contractile ring that pinches the cell into two.
• Researchers are studying the cytokinetic apparatus to understand how cell division is completed.
• A failure in the cytokinetic process can result in binucleated cells.

Advanced Usage

• Cytokinetic bridge: A thin intercellular bridge that temporarily connects two daughter cells at the final stage of cytokinesis, containing remnants of the mitotic spindle.
  • The midbody is a specific type of cytokinetic bridge.

Variants and Related Words

• Cytokinesis (noun): The actual physical process of cytoplasmic division that occurs after nuclear division (mitosis or meiosis).
  • Cytokinesis is the final step in cell division.
• Cytokineticly (adverb): In a manner relating to cytokinesis. (Note: This form is very rare in usage).
• Pre-cytokinetic (adjective): Occurring or existing before cytokinesis.
  • The assembly of the contractile ring is a pre-cytokinetic event.

Synonyms

• Telophasic (in the specific context of mitosis, as cytokinesis overlaps with telophase).

Antonyms

• Mitotic (specifically when referring only to nuclear division, excluding cytoplasmic division).
• Karyokinetic (relating to the division of the nucleus).

Notes on Meaning

The term cytokinetic is precise and has only one primary meaning in scientific English: pertaining to cytokinesis. It does not describe the division of the nucleus (which is mitosis or karyokinesis) but strictly the subsequent division of the cell's cytoplasm and organelles to form two separate daughter cells.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following the division of the nucleus