What does the term "cytokinesis" refer to?

Cytokinesis is a fundamental process in the cell cycle that specifically refers to the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in the separation of the two daughter cells after mitosis or meiosis. During cytokinesis, the cellular material and organelles are distributed between the two new cells, ensuring that each daughter cell receives the necessary components to function properly. This process occurs after the nucleus has divided (a phase referred to as mitosis) and is crucial for the successful reproduction of cells.

Understanding cytokinesis is essential in the context of cellular biology, as it is part of the overall cell division process that allows for growth, development, and repair in organisms. The other options refer to different phases or processes: the division of the nucleus (mitosis), DNA replication (s phase), and a resting state of cells (G0 phase), each of which plays a distinct role in the life cycle of cells but does not define cytokinesis.