Endoreduplication

Endoreduplication is the process by which a cell duplicates its genetic material but does not divide.

During mitosis, chromosomes are firstly separated and then each homologous chromosome migrates to a pole in the cell. Finally, the cell separates and the chromosomes are duplicated within the daughter cells. In endoreduplication, however, cell division does not take place although the genetic material which is duplicated is contained within the same cell, which then becomes polyploid.

Causes of endoreduplication

The factors which lead to endoreduplication are still relatively poorly understood although this phenomenon if often linked to high metabolic activity, for example grass after mowing, or in fruit formation (the different sizes of tomatoes for example represent different levels of endoreduplication).

Researchers assume that multiplication of genetic material leads to an increase in the expression of genes and therefore increased protein synthesis.