Animal Cytokinesis Similarities

Describe the similarities and differences between the cytokinesis mechanisms found in animal cells versus those in plant cells.

The Cell Cycle

Cell division has always been a critical event in the formation of new eukaryotic cells. Once small deviation and cancer, abnormalities, and mutations, etc. can arise. The cell cycle includes two distinct staging areas, interphase and the mitotic phase. Interphase is divided into G1, S, and G2 phases, while the mitotic phase incorporates two stages, mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitosis, or karyokinesis, involves nuclear division, or doubling of the cell nucleus, comprising five stages: Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. Cytokinesis, a.k.a. cell motion, is the final stage of the mitotic

It happens concurrently, or at the same time. Accordingly, Alberts et al. states “cytokinesis accompanies every mitosis, beginning in anaphase, continuing in telophase, and reaching completion as the following interphase begins” (2002, p. 1142).

Similarities between plant and animal cells involves cytoplasmic splitting at the same stage of the cell division, protein participation, as well as production of identical daughter cells. At the same time, separation is complete before the next interphase begins.

The most notable & observable difference is in the way which cytokinesis occurs.

Because animal cells have no cell wall, the first sign of cytokinesis is the appearance of an indentation, or ring around the “equator” so-to-speak. An actin/myosin protein ring, also known as a cleavage furrow, essentially squeezes the cell inward like a drawstring, or elastic, pinching the parent cell, separating the cell into the two identical daughter cells. Thus, two new cells are formed, with a nucleus at each end. See Figure

cell plate for cytoplasmic apportionment, it does not appear the process of cytokinesis is as seemingly straightforward as it once appeared; nor dissimilar as it may seem. According to Baluška et al., in the recent past, what was once considered the domain of plant cell cytokinesis, likewise appears to be valid for animal cell cytokinesis. Whereas, Golgi vesicles and vesicular exchange were in the realm of the plant cell cytoplasmic division, there is now evidence it is also important within animal cell