title: 3-D physical models of mitosis (with asters) and cytokinesis.
abstract: First, we define new concepts of Life Objects, Informative Objects and Virtual Objects, Discrete Chromosome Rings (DCR); we introduce a mathematical concept of meridian plane (MP) in a three dimensional (3-D) cylindrical coordinate system (CCS). Based on these concepts, classic mechanics, classic electromagnetism and published biological data, we develop our 3-D physical models of natural and normal mitosis (with asters) and cytokinesis, for animal cells in M phase. We propose following hypotheses: Chromosomes Exclusion: No normally and naturally replicated chromosomes can occupy the same nucleus without growing sizes of the nucleus and the cell. Spontaneous and strong electromagnetic fields (EMF) forces among chromosomes, centrosomes and microtubules split the nucleus and separate the two sets of sister chromatids when they are strong enough. Nuclei Exclusion: No normally and naturally doubled nuclei can occupy the same cell if the doubled size of nuclei is not far smaller than size of the cell. The spontaneous and strong EMF forces in protoplasm (or cortex), separate two sets of chromosomes, spindles and poles, drive contractile proteins to the equator in cell cortex, and continue to guide and to transport free charged objects until complete the cytokinesis. Centrioles Exclusion: No naturally and normally doubled centrioles can occupy the same centrosome. The spontaneous and strong repulsive EMF forces are the primary cause for the exclusions. The principles of our models are also applied to mitosis and cytokinesis for lower plant cells, to that of multiple nuclei or mutant chromosomes, and to meiosis, for both animal cells and lower plant cells.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Changhua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031173:Aster Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D018385:Centrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological