Question

In cytokinesis, how are the internal organelles 'distributed' to each daughter cell? Consider mitochondria in eukaryotic cells....

Answer 1

During cell division, segregation of cell organelles first begins at metaphase and continues till the organelles are distributed by the completion of cytokinesis. Golgi stacks redistribute between the two daughter cells such that both have very similar golgi stack densities. Most cell organelles like, endoplasmic reticulum, centrioles, lysosomes and endosomes etc,become dispersed or fragmented during the stages of cell division and then during cytokinesis, segregate and reassemble in the two daughter cells.

Organelles like mitochondria and plastids [ only in plant cells], have their own DNA. Therefore, they make copies of themselves, which get distributed between the two daughter cells. It is believed that mitochondria remains intact during the entire process of cell division, most probably to provide energy required by the cell. So, plastids and mitochondria do not disperse or fragment, instead they make copies of themselves and get distributed between the two daughter cells.