Cytokinesis is the process during cell division where the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells. It typically occurs after mitosis or meiosis.
Understand that cytokinesis ensures that each daughter cell receives the necessary organelles and cytoplasmic components to function independently.
In animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, which is a contractile ring made of actin and myosin proteins that pinches the cell membrane inward until the cell splits into two.
In plant cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cell plate. Vesicles from the Golgi apparatus deliver materials to the center of the cell, forming a new cell wall that separates the two daughter cells.
Cytokinesis is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair, as it allows cells to proliferate and maintain proper function in multicellular organisms.
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Cytokinesis Definition
Cytokinesis is the process during cell division where the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. It typically follows mitosis or meiosis, ensuring that each new cell receives an appropriate share of the cytoplasmic contents and organelles.
Cytokinesis involves the formation of a contractile ring composed of actin and myosin filaments, which constricts the cell membrane at the center of the cell. This process is crucial for physically separating the two daughter cells and is regulated by various proteins that ensure proper timing and coordination.
Cytokinesis differs between plant and animal cells. In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms and pinches the cell in two, while in plant cells, a cell plate forms along the center, eventually developing into a new cell wall. Understanding these differences is essential for grasping how various organisms complete cell division.