Endomitosis: Definition & Examples

[Mk]

Is endomitosis a phase of mitosis, or is it a separate kind of mitosis?

 

[iansmith]

Endomitosis: Chromosomal replication without nuclear or cellular division that results in cells with many copies of the same chromosome

http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-E/endomitosis.html

So the cell end up having twice as many copy of the number of chromosome. As far as I rememeber, this has been used in fruit biotechnology and it is used to increase the size of the fruit.

 

[ravenprp]

Endomitosis is a type of cell division that involves the replication of DNA without cell division. This results in cells with multiple copies of the genome, known as polyploidy. Endomitosis is not considered a phase of mitosis, but rather a separate type of cell division.

Examples of endomitosis can be found in various organisms, including plants, insects, and mammals. In plants, endomitosis is responsible for the formation of endosperm, which provides nourishment to the developing embryo. In insects, endomitosis is involved in the growth and development of certain tissues, such as the silk glands in silkworms. In mammals, endomitosis can occur in certain cells, such as megakaryocytes which produce platelets.

While endomitosis shares some similarities with mitosis, such as DNA replication, it differs in that it does not result in the formation of two daughter cells. Instead, the cell remains intact, but with an increased number of chromosomes. This process is important for the development and function of certain tissues in organisms.

In conclusion, endomitosis is a distinct type of cell division that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of various organisms. It is not a phase of mitosis, but rather a separate process that contributes to the diversity and complexity of life.