Question

How does cytokinesis in plant cells differ from that in animal cells?

Answer 1

Method

In animals, cytokinesis occurs by constriction and furrow formation. In-plant cells, cytokinesis occurs by cell plate formation.



Process

In animal cells, a contractile ring composed of microfilaments is formed at the periphery of the equator. This gradually contracts and a furrow forms from outside to inside. This furrow deepens continuously and ultimately a cell divides into two daughter cells. In-plant cells, many vesicles from the dictyosome which represent the Golgi apparatus of plants are transported towards the equator or phragmoplast. The fusion of these vesicles and their enlargement from the center towards the periphery helps in the formation of a cell plate. Further, the cell plate, along with depositions, enlarges to form the middle lamella between the two adjacent daughter cells.

Involvement of Golgi vesicles/ dictyosomes

Golgi vesicles are not involved in the cytokinesis of animal cells whereas they are involved in the cytokinesis of plant cells.

Order

Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs in centripetal order (towards the center) whereas it occurs in centrifugal order (away from center) in plant cells.

Summary

Criteria	Animal cell	Plant cell
Method	Constriction and furrow formation	Cell plate formation
Process	Contractile ring composed of microfilaments is formed at the periphery of the equator which gradually contracts and a furrow forms from outside to inside the	The cell plate, along with depositions, enlarges to form the middle lamella between the two adjacent daughter cells involvement
Involvement of Golgi vesicles/dictyosomes	Not involved	Involved
Order	Centripetal order (towards the center)	Centrifugal order (away from the center)