Introduction

Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division, where the cell membrane pinches in to divide the cell into two daughter cells. While animal and plant cells undergo similar stages of mitosis, their cytokinesis stages differ significantly. In this article, we will look at the differences between cytokinesis in animal and plant cells.

Cytokinesis in animal cells

In animal cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cleavage furrow. The cleavage furrow forms from a ring of contractile proteins called actin and myosin, which contract, pulling the cell membrane inward. The furrow deepens until it meets in the center of the cell, dividing the cell into two daughter cells. During this process, microtubules, which form the mitotic spindle responsible for moving the chromosomes, begin to disintegrate.

Cytokinesis in plant cells

In plant cells, cytokinesis occurs differently from animal cells due to the presence of a cell wall. The cell wall prevents the formation of a cleavage furrow. Instead, during cytokinesis in plant cells, a structure called the cell plate forms between the two daughter cells. The cell plate originates from the Golgi apparatus and grows until it fuses with the plasma membrane. As the cell plates fuse, they create a new cell wall between the two daughter cells, dividing the cell.

Major Differences between Cytokinesis in Animal and Plant Cells

There are several differences between animal and plant cells during cytokinesis. One major difference is the method of cytokinesis. As noted, animal cells use a contractile ring to pinch the cell membrane, while plant cells form a cell plate. Additionally, plant cells contain vesicles called Golgi vesicles, which are responsible for building the cell wall that divides the cell. Animal cells do not possess this mechanism for forming cell walls.

Another significant difference is the location of the nucleus during cytokinesis. In animal cells, the nucleus remains in the center of the cell, while in plant cells, it moves towards the edge of the cell. Plant cells do not have centrosomes, which are responsible for moving the chromosomes in animal cells. Instead, plant cells use a structure called the phragmoplast to guide the formation of the cell plate.

Conclusion

In summary, cytokinesis in animal and plant cells has several key differences, most notably in the mechanism of cell division and the location of the nucleus during division. These differences are due to the unique characteristics of each cell type, including the presence of a cell wall in plant cells and the presence of centrosomes in animal cells. Understanding these differences is essential for comprehending the cellular processes of both animals and plants.