Cytokinesis (AQA A Level Biology)

Cytokinesis

• Although not regarded as a phase of mitosis, cytokinesis is an important final step in the cell cycle because during this stage the cytoplasm is divides forming two genetically identical cells and it takes place after the telophase stage of mitosis
• This is the physical separation of the parent cell into two genetically identical daughter cells and occurs once a new nucleus has completely re-formed at each pole of the parent cell at the end of telophase
• The process differs slightly in animal and plant cells:
  • In animal cells, a ‘cleavage furrow’ forms and separates the daughter cells
  • In plants, a ‘cell plate’ (the precursor to a new cell wall) forms at the site of the metaphase plate. Once the cell plate reaches the cell walls of the parent cell, new cell walls are produced, separating the new daughter cells

Cytokinesis in an animal cell and a plant cell