Difference between Plant and Animal Cytokinesis (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025
The Difference between Plant and Animal cytokinesis is plant cells form a **cell plate during cytokinesis and animal cells divide by forming a **cleavage. The term "**cyto" refers to **cells or cytoplasm while the term "**kinesis" refers to division. All eukaryotic cells undergo cytokinesis to produce daughter cells, there are differences among plants due to the presence and absence of cell walls, and among animals in the **mode of division between plant and animal cells. In this article, we will learn about plant and animal cytokinesis and their differences, and types.
Table of Content
- What is Cytokinesis?
- What is Plant Cytokinesis?
- What is Animal Cytokinesis?
- Type of Cytokinesis
- Difference between Plant and Animal Cytokinesis
- Proteins involved in cytokinesis
- Role of Cytokinesis in Plant and Animal
Difference between Plant and Animal Cytokinesis
The below table lists the major differences between the plant and animal cytokinesis.
| Characteristics | Plant cytokinesis | Animal cytokinesis |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Plant cell cytokinesis defines as the division of plant cells to form daughter cells | Animal cell cytokinesis defines the division of animal cells to form daughter cells |
| Mode of division | In plant cytokinesis formation of cell plate at the center of mother cell marks the beginning of division of the plant cells. | In animal cytokinesis there is a appearance of furrow in the plasma membrane which deepens to the center to split the parent cell. |
| Direction of division | In plant cytokinesis there is a formation of cell plate at the center of the cell which then leads to plant cell division . | In animal cytokinesis, cells starts the division from outside to the center. |
| Formation of furrow | No, there is no formation of furrow in plant cell cytokinesis. | Yes, formation of furrow from outside to inside leads to cytokinesis. |
| Formation of cell plate | Yes, cell plate is formed in the center of cell with the help of vesicles and Golgi | No, there is no formation of cell plate in animal cell cytokinesis. |
What is Cytokinesis?
The last phase of **cell division is also known as *cytokinesis, it results in the formation of *two daughter cells. This process ensures the *division of genetic material and organelles to divide and make up a daughter cell. It occurs both in *animal and plant cells and it ensures the growth and development of these cells and tissues. However, it is different in cells that have the presence of cell walls ****(**plant cells*)* and cells that lack a cell wall (**animal cells**)**.
Also Read: Difference Between Karyokinesis And Cytokinesis
What is Plant Cytokinesis?
This is the process by which a plant cell divides into two separate daughter cells it is called **plant cell cytokinesis. A structure called as **cell plate develops in the center of the cell during **telophase itis the final phase of cell division this **cell plate is formed by golgi vesicles. The cell wall is elongated till the edges and divides the two daughter cells. The cell plate fuses with the cell membrane. There is a proper **distribution of organelles and genetic material between the two daughter cells leading to the formation of two distinct and functional plant cells.
**Also Read: Difference Between Plant and Animal Cells
What is Animal Cytokinesis?
Animal cell cytokinesis is the process by which animal cell divides into daughter cells this marks the end of cell division. Since **animal cells lack the cell wall which is present in plant cells, a **contractile ring is formed of **myosin and actin filaments. The ring contracts from the **edges to form a cleavage to divide the cell inward forming the cleavage furrow equally .This furrow gets deeper until the cell is entirely split into two distinct daughter cells. There is a equal distribution of genetic material and cellular components between the divided cells in animal cell cytokinesis.
**Also Read: Major Difference Between Actin and Myosin
Type of Cytokinesis
There are **two different types of cytokinesis that occur in plant and animal separately cleavage cytokinesis in animal cells and **cell plate cytokinesis in plant cells
- **Cleavage cytokinesis in animal cells: In **animal cell cytokinesis first a **cleavage starts from the edges of the cell and deepens to from a furrowwhich cuts the parent cell **dividing into two daughter cells
- **Cell plate cytokinesis in plant cells: In **plant cell cytokinesis a structure called as **cell plate is formed the cell plate starts to expands from the **center of the plant cell to the edges of the cell and then separating the two identical daughter cells.
Proteins involved in Cytokinesis
The most important proteins in cytokinesis are Actin and Myosin, Tubulin, Rho Family GTPases, Anillin, Septins, Dynamin, Aurora Kinases, Citron Kinase.
- **Actin and Myosin: These help in the **formation of the contractile ring, which shrinks at **cytokinesis to divide the into daughter cells.
- **Tubulin: This proteins form the **mitotic spindle which helps in proper segregation of chromosomes in cell division.
- **Rho GTPases: It helps in **formation and contraction of the ring throughout cytokinesis.
- **Anillin: It help in coordinating the **contractile ring during cytokinesis.
- **Septins: It plays a role in **stabilizing the contractile ring and facilitating membrane remodeling on the division.
- **Dynamin: It is involved in the final **separation of daughter cells.
- **Aurora kinases: It regulate assembly of the **spindle, chromosome segregation, and furrow formation.
- **Citron kinase: It controls the **formation and constriction of the contractile ring along with cytokinetic proteins.
Role of Cytokinesis in Plant and Animal
The primary function of cytokinesis in plant and animal cells is to divide the parent cytoplasm and form two differentiated identical daughter cells
- A **cell plate is developed which then divides into **two daughter cells in **plant cells but a **cleavage is developed which deepens for **cell division in animal cells
- It has its importance in cell division in organisms
- Cytokinesis plays an important role in the **growth and development of plant and **animal tissues.
- Cytokinesis is also very important for **cell differentiation in living organisms.
- Cytokinesis results in **two genetically identical daughter cells.
- Cytokinesis also plays an important role in the **reproductive system in unicellular organisms such as amoebae
Conclusion - Difference between Plant and Animal Cytokinesis
In conclusion, the process of cell division in plants and animals plays an important role in the growth and development of organisms. They also play an important role in the separation of genetic material between daughter cells. This marks the end of the cell division in organisms. cytokinesis also has a important role in cell differentiation in organisms Therefore, it is very important to understand the mechanism of cytokinesis in plant and animal cells. Plants and animals differ only in the way they divide in cytokinesis but ultimately undergo cell division to form daughter cells.
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