What is the difference between animal and plant cytokinesis?
Cytokinesis refers to the actual division of the cell’s cytoplasm. Due to the different structure of plant and animal cells, there are some subtle differences in this process. For Plants: Cytokinesis begins at the conclusion of telophase. In the center of the cell, a structure known as a cell plate begins to grow and elongate, with each end heading toward the opposite cell walls. This linear wall-like structure continues to grow until it reaches the actual cell walls. Once the cell plate has divided the cell into two cells, it will continue to develop into a new cell wall. For Animals: Cytokinesis begins at the conclusion of telophase. The cell membranes on opposite sides of the cell become pinched-in allowing for the cell to divide. The initial structure that forms is called a cleavage furrow. The cleavage furrow continues to pinch in, until the two sides are touching. At this point, there will be two new cells. Primary difference: Animal cells lack a cell wall, while plant cells have
