mnohobunných

Mnohobunných is a Czech term used to describe cells or tissues that contain multiple nuclei. It is related to the adjective mnohobuněčný (multinucleated) and is applied when describing structures in which two or more nuclei share a common cytoplasm.

Multinucleation can arise by two main mechanisms. One is cell fusion, where distinct cells merge to form a single cytoplasmic entity containing several nuclei, as seen in skeletal muscle fibers and certain placental trophoblasts. The other mechanism is nuclear division without cytokinesis, producing a single cell with many nuclei, a state found in coenocytic or plasmodial forms of fungi, algae, and some protozoa. These processes create tissues and cells capable of achieving large size or rapid cytoplasmic expansion without complete cell splitting.

Examples occur across life forms. In animals, multinucleated cells include skeletal muscle fibers, osteoclasts in bone, and placental syncytiotrophoblasts. In fungi and algae, coenocytic hyphae and plasmodia consist of a shared cytoplasm containing numerous nuclei. Slime molds also form plasmodia with many nuclei within one cell membrane. In human pathology, multinucleated giant cells can appear in granulomatous diseases and certain tumors.

The biological significance of multinucleation varies by context. It can enable rapid growth and extensive cytoplasmic function, support specialized activities (such as muscle contraction or bone resorption), or reflect developmental and pathogenic processes.