Cytokinesis in Plant Cell vs. Cytokinesis in Animal Cell: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sumera Saeed || Updated on October 2, 2023
Cytokinesis in plant cells involves building a cell plate to separate cells, while in animal cells, it involves pinching the cell membrane through a cleavage furrow.

Key Differences
Cytokinesis in plant cells initiates a different mechanism than in animal cells due to the presence of a rigid cell wall. In contrast, animal cells, devoid of such structural constraints, employ a straightforward approach. The rigidity of the plant cell wall necessitates an internal division, whereas the flexibility of the animal cell membrane allows for an external constriction.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
The construction of a cell plate is fundamental to cytokinesis in plant cells, gradually developing into a new cell wall to separate the daughter cells. Animal cells diverge in this process, wherein a cleavage furrow is formed that gradually pinches the cell into two. Thus, the plant cell creates a new structure, while the animal cell manipulates its existing one.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
The role of vesicles is pivotal in the plant cell cytokinesis as they transport materials to build the dividing cell plate. In contrast, in animal cells, the actin and myosin microfilament ring contracts to create the aforementioned cleavage furrow. Therefore, vesicle involvement is crucial for plant cells, whereas microfilament action is vital in animal cells.

Huma Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
In the realm of cytokinesis in plant cells, the cell plate eventually matures into a new cell wall, ensuring each daughter cell is encased in a protective layer. Contrarily, the cytokinesis in animal cells leaves the daughter cells with no additional protective structure, relying on the original cell membrane. The plant cells generate a new protective layer, whereas animal cells do not.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
It is notable that cytokinesis in plant cells does not employ motor proteins in the same way animal cells do. Animal cell cytokinesis uses motor proteins that interact with actin to facilitate the cleavage furrow formation. Hence, in plant cells, motor proteins are less integral to cytokinesis, while in animal cells, they play a pivotal role in the process.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Mechanism of Division
Builds a cell plate internally to divide the cell.
Forms a cleavage furrow externally to pinch the cell.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Structural Development
Develops a new cell wall from the cell plate.
Relies on the existing cell membrane with no new structure.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Vesicle Involvement
Vesicles transport materials to form the cell plate.
Vesicles are not heavily involved in cleavage formation.

Huma Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Use of Microfilaments
Microfilaments are not significantly used in division.
Microfilaments (actin, myosin) facilitate division.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Post-Division Protection
Each daughter cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall.
Daughter cells have only their original cell membrane.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
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Cytokinesis in Plant Cell and Cytokinesis in Animal Cell Definitions
Cytokinesis in Plant Cell
Cytokinesis in plant cells concludes the cell division process post the completion of mitosis.
After mitosis, cytokinesis in plant cell takes the stage to physically separate the two cells.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Animal Cell
Cytokinesis in animal cells is characterized by the formation of a cleavage furrow, pinching the cell into two.
The defining feature of cytokinesis in animal cell is the gradual deepening of the cleavage furrow.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Plant Cell
Unlike animal cells, cytokinesis in plant cells does not utilize a cleavage furrow.
The absence of a cleavage furrow is characteristic of cytokinesis in plant cell.

Huma Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Animal Cell
Unlike plant cells, no new physical barrier is constructed between the two new cells in animal cell cytokinesis.
Cytokinesis in animal cell leaves the daughter cells with their initial, unaltered cell membranes.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Plant Cell
It is a vital process where one parent plant cell divides to form two new cells, ensuring growth and repair.
Cytokinesis in plant cell facilitates not only growth but also repair and regeneration.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
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Cytokinesis in Animal Cell
It is a crucial phase that ensures the genetic material is neatly parceled into two new animal cells.
Through cytokinesis in animal cell, the cytoplasm is evenly distributed among the daughter cells.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Plant Cell
Cytokinesis in plant cells involves the formation of a cell plate that eventually becomes a new cell wall.
The cytokinesis in plant cell ensures that each daughter cell is encased in a fresh, sturdy cell wall.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Animal Cell
The process doesn’t create any new cell wall or membrane but utilizes the existing membrane to finalize cell separation.
Cytokinesis in animal cell ensures division without the formation of any additional protective structure.

Huma Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Plant Cell
The process leans heavily on vesicles which ferry components to build the new wall during cytokinesis in plant cells.
Vesicles are integral to cytokinesis in plant cell, contributing to the formation of the cell plate.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Cytokinesis in Animal Cell
Microfilaments, especially actin and myosin, play a crucial role in animal cell cytokinesis.
The role of actin and myosin is pivotal during cytokinesis in animal cell, assisting in furrow formation.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
FAQs
What initiates cytokinesis in plant cells?
The initiation is marked by the formation of a cell plate.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
What role do microfilaments play in animal cell cytokinesis?
They facilitate the formation and deepening of the cleavage furrow.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is a new cell wall formed during cytokinesis in plant cells?
Yes, a new cell wall is formed from the cell plate.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Are vesicles crucial in cytokinesis in plant cells?
Yes, vesicles transport materials to form the cell plate.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
What happens to the daughter cells post-cytokinesis in plant cells?
They become two separate entities each encased in its own cell wall.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
How does cytokinesis in animal cells begin?
It begins with the formation of a cleavage furrow.

Huma Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Is the mechanism of cytokinesis in plant cells similar to animal cells?
No, they utilize different mechanisms due to structural variations.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Is there any new membrane formation in cytokinesis in animal cells?
No, the existing cell membrane is simply pinched into two.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Why is there no cell plate formation in animal cell cytokinesis?
The flexibility of the animal cell membrane allows for a cleavage furrow instead.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Do plant cells change shape during cytokinesis like animal cells?
No, plant cells largely retain their shape, developing a cell plate internally.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Are daughter cells immediately independent after cytokinesis in animal cells?
Yes, they become two distinct cells each with its own membrane.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Can cytokinesis in plant cells happen without a cell plate?
No, the cell plate is crucial to form the new cell wall.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is there a change in the volume of the new cells after cytokinesis in animal cells?
No, the total cellular volume is conserved and distributed among daughter cells.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
What signals the end of cytokinesis in plant cells?
The maturation of the cell plate into a new cell wall signals its completion.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
Does the cytoplasm divide during cytokinesis in plant cells?
Yes, it is evenly distributed between the two new cells.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
What ensures equal division of cytoplasm in cytokinesis in animal cells?
The cleavage furrow ensures an equitable division of the cytoplasm.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Is cytokinesis in animal cells dependent on a rigid structure formation like in plant cells?
No, it relies on the flexibility of the existing cell membrane.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
What finalizes cytokinesis in animal cells?
The complete pinching in of the cleavage furrow finalizes the process.

Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Is energy consumption similar in cytokinesis for both plant and animal cells?
No, the mechanisms (cell plate formation and cleavage furrow) have different energy demands and consumptions.

Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Are the mechanisms of cytokinesis evolutionarily conserved across plant and animal kingdoms?
While the objective (cell division) is conserved, the mechanisms have evolved divergently.

Sumera Saeed
Oct 02, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
