Question
Question: How does cytokinesis in plant cells differ from that in animal cells?...
How does cytokinesis in plant cells differ from that in animal cells?
Solution
Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, after nuclear division in plants and animal cells. It is the final process in cell division and results in two daughter cells.
Complete step-by-step answer:
Difference between cytokinesis in plant cell and animal cell is as follows:
| Character | In Plant Cell | In Animal Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | By cell plate method, in which the plant cell develops a cell wall at the equator, separating two daughter cells. | By cell furrow method, in which the cell membrane develops constriction at the equator, separating two daughter cells. |
| Fate of spindle | Usually persists | Start to degenerate |
| Mode of formation | Golgi body and Endoplasmic Reticulum fuse to form the cell plate | A constriction is developed by the contraction of microtubules in the cell membrane |
| Growth | The cell plate grows centrifugally, which is from the center to the periphery. | Cell furrow grows centripetally, which is from the periphery to the center. |
Figure: Cytokinesis in plants and animals cell
Additional Information:
-Cytokinesis starts at metaphase in the animal cell.
-In animal cells, during cytokinesis, the cell-organelles arrange themselves equally on either side of the equator.
-The other name of the cell furrowing method is the cell cleavage method.
-In the plant cells, during cytokinesis, the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi body align at the equator.
-In the plant cells, the cell plate grows on both sides and forms a middle lamella.
-The phycoplast is a microtubular structure observed during cytokinesis in members of green algae.
- Spindle fibers are microtubules, which separates the chromosomes at the equator.
-Colchicine is an alkaloid and acts as a mitotic poison by breaking the microtubules of the spindle.
Note: In meiosis, the cytokinesis occurs twice, since the cell has to divide two times, called cytokinesis-1 and cytokinesis-2. Cytokinesis and karyokinesis (a division of the nucleus) occur at the same time in a parallel manner.