5 syllables: Cy, to, ki, ne, sis. Stress on ki.
seye-tuh-KIN-uh-sis
/saɪtəˈkɪnəsɪs/
Cytokinesis is pronounced seye-tuh-KIN-uh-sis (/saɪtəˈkɪnəsɪs/). It has five syllables (Cy-to-ki-ne-sis), with the stress on "ki". Cytokinesis is the physical process by which a cell divides its cytoplasm to form two distinct daughter cells, typically following mitosis or meiosis. It ensures proper partitioning of cellular contents and organelles, completing cell division. The term combines ‘cyto-’ (cell) with ‘kinesis’ (movement), describing the final separation stage of the cell cycle.
nounCytokinesis is the physical process by which a cell divides its cytoplasm to form two distinct daughter cells, typically following mitosis or meiosis. It ensures proper partitioning of cellular contents and organelles, completing cell division. The term combines ‘cyto-’ (cell) with ‘kinesis’ (movement), describing the final separation stage of the cell cycle.
How to Pronounce Cytokinesis
"During cell division, cytokinesis concludes mitosis by splitting the cytoplasm."
"The rate of cytokinesis can influence the size and viability of daughter cells."
"Researchers observed abnormal cytokinesis in cells treated with the drug."
Phonetically: /ˌsaɪˌtoʊkɪˈniːsɪs/ for US, with primary stress on the third syllable (niː). Break it as cy-to-ki-ne-sis, placing tertiary stress on -ni- and clear ending -sis. Start with /saɪ/ (like 'sigh'), then /toʊ/ (as in 'toe'), then /kɪ/ (short 'i'), /ˈniː/ (long 'ee'), and finish with /sɪs/. You’ll hear the rhythm as da-da-DAH-nee-sis; aim for crisp consonants and a steady tempo. Audio resources: Pronounce or Forvo demonstrations can help map the exact mouth positions.
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying cy-to-KIN-e-sis or si-to-ke-NI-sis. (2) Flattening the long vowels, producing /ˌsaɪ.toʊ.kɪˈnɛsɪs/ or /ˌsaɪ.toʊˈkɪnɪsɪs/. Correction: keep secondary stress on the syllables with the long /ˈniː/ and maintain the final -sis as /-sɪs/ with a short reduce vowel before the final s. Practice by saying the word slowly: /ˌsaɪˌtoʊ.kɪˈniː.sɪs/ and then speed up while preserving the vowel quality and stress pattern.
US: /ˌsaɪˌtoʊkɪˈniːsɪs/ with rhotic R only on preceding vowels, clear /r/ after 'to' isn’t present; UK/AU: similar skeleton but with subtler vowel qualities: UK tends to have a slightly shorter /oʊ/ and more clipped /ˈniː/; AU often features a slightly broader vowel sound and a more open /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Across accents, primary stress remains on the third syllable, but vowel quality and intonation can change with regional vowel shifts.
It combines multiple syllables with longer vowels and a cluster of consonants at the start (cy-to). The key challenges are maintaining the long /ˈniː/ vowel, keeping the /k/ sound crisp after the diphthong, and not collapsing the sequence into a smoother, less distinct form. Focus on segmenting cy-to-kine-si-s, holding each vowel length and using a light, precise /s/ at the end. IPA guidance and listening practice help you lock the rhythm.
There are no silent letters in Cytokinesis. Each segment (cy-to-kin-e-sis) contributes a visible sound to the syllable structure. The challenge lies in accurate vowel length and distinct 'k' and 's' consonants, not in silent elements. Ensure you articulate /ˈniː/ with a full vowel and avoid inserting extra vowels between syllables.
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Cytokinesis descends from the combining forms cyto- and -kinesis. Cyto- comes from the Greek kytos, meaning ‘hollow vessel’ or ‘cell.’ Kinesis derives from the Greek kainēsis, meaning ‘motion’ or ‘movement.’ The term first appears in the 19th–20th century biological literature as researchers clarified the steps of cell division beyond mitosis. As cytology advanced, scientists distinguished cytokinesis as the final partitioning of the cytoplasm, separate from nuclear division (karyokinesis). The evolution of the concept tracks with improvements in light microscopy and later electron microscopy, which allowed observation of the contractile ring and cleavage furrow facilitating cytoplasmic division. First known usage citations align with early 1900s cytology discussions, but the explicit, modern usage solidified mid-20th century as cell biology matured. The word’s morphology clearly marks its meaning: cyt- (cell) + -kinesis (movement/division), reinforcing the sense of a cellular process that moves toward physical separation. Over time, cytokinesis has become a standard term across biology, medicine, and genetics, with precise definitions distinguishing cytokinesis from mitosis and meiosis, though they are interconnected steps in cell division.
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Words that rhyme with "Cytokinesis"
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