Final answer:
In cell division, M-Cdk (mitotic Cdk) is also known as mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase. The term 'Cdk' stands for cyclin-dependent kinase, which is an enzyme that, when paired with a cyclin protein, plays a critical role in controlling the progression of cells through the cell cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
M-Cdk (mitotic Cdk) is also known as mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase and plays a pivotal role in cell cycle regulation. The M-Cdk complex becomes fully active when the Cdk binds to mitotic cyclins, which allows the cell to progress past various checkpoints within the cell cycle, particularly entering into mitosis during the G2 phase.
Cyclin levels vary during the cell cycle; they gradually rise after cytokinesis, peak at mitosis, and then fall. Cyclin-dependent kinases, however, remain constant throughout the cell cycle but require binding with cyclins to become fully functional. This regulation ensures that a cell does not enter mitosis until it is fully prepared, which is crucial for maintaining orderly and controlled cell division. Disturbances in this regulatory mechanism can potentially lead to cancerous growth due to uncontrolled cell proliferation.