Question

Cytokinesis is the physical separation of the cytoplasm into two daughter cells that generally occurs during telophase. describe/ draw how cytokinesis is different between animal and plants cells. why does this difference exist?

Answer 1

ANSWER

Cytokinesis takes place by different methods in plant and animal cells. This is because the cytoplasm of an animal cell is surrounded by plasma membrane alone whereas the cytoplasm of a plant cell is surrounded by plasma membrane, cell wall and middle lamella.

Cytokinesis in animal cells

1. During telophase, when the two nuclei are present in the poles, a contractile ring is formed by the actin and myosin filaments in the centre.
2. The microfilament ring constricts, forming a cleavage furrow.
3. The cleavage furrow reaches the centre.
4. The cells are pinched off by the ring, forming two separate daughter cells.

Cytokinesis in plant cells

1. In the beginning of telophase, carbohydrate rich vesicles move to the center.
2. The vesicles fuse to form a cell plate.
3. Cell plate grows as cellulose, pectin and other substances are deposited.
4. Finally, cell plate is completely formed, creating two separate cells.