How is cytokinesis different in plant cells as compared to animal cell?

Cytokinesis is the process by which a cell divides its cytoplasm to form two daughter cells. While the fundamental purpose of cytokinesis is the same in both plant and animal cells, the mechanisms by which it occurs differ due to structural differences between these types of cells.

Differences in Cytokinesis between Plant and Animal Cells

1. Structural Differences:

   • Plant Cells: Have a rigid cell wall that necessitates a different mechanism for division.
   • Animal Cells: Lack a cell wall, allowing for a more flexible division process.

2. Mechanism of Division:

   • Animal Cells: Cytokinesis occurs through a process called cleavage. A contractile ring composed of actin and myosin filaments forms just beneath the plasma membrane. This ring contracts, creating a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell into two separate daughter cells.
   • Plant Cells: Cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cell plate. Vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus move to the center of the cell, where they coalesce to form a new cell wall that grows outward until it reaches the existing cell walls, thereby dividing the cell into two.

3. End Result:

   • Animal Cells: The cell membrane is pinched inward until the cell is split into two.
   • Plant Cells: A new cell wall is constructed between the two daughter cells.

Final Answer

In summary, cytokinesis in animal cells involves the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell into two, while in plant cells, a cell plate forms to create a new dividing wall between the daughter cells.