What is the difference between cytokinesis in animal cells and cytokinesis in plant cells?

What is the difference between cytokinesis in animal and plant cells?

• what is the difference between cytokinesis in animal and plant cells

• Answer:

  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 a cell wall. Since the cell wall is inflexible, it cannot be "pinched in" as is the case of the animal cells.