Question
cytokinesis
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Cytokinesis is the process that occurs at the end of cell division, specifically during the final stages of mitosis and meiosis, which leads to the physical separation of the cytoplasm and other organelles into two daughter cells. This process follows the division of the nucleus (karyokinesis) and ensures that each daughter cell has an adequate amount of cellular components.
In animal cells, cytokinesis is achieved through the formation of a cleavage furrow, which is an inward pinching of the cell membrane. This occurs due to the action of a contractile ring composed of actin and myosin filaments that constrict the cell's surface.
In plant cells, cytokinesis is more complicated due to the presence of a rigid cell wall. Instead of forming a cleavage furrow, plant cells build a structure known as the cell plate. This cell plate forms at the center of the cell and expands outward until it fuses with the existing cell wall, resulting in two separate daughter cells, each with its own membrane and a new cell wall.
Cytokinesis is crucial for the proper distribution of genetic material and organelles to the daughter cells, enabling them to function independently.
In animal cells, cytokinesis is achieved through the formation of a cleavage furrow, which is an inward pinching of the cell membrane. This occurs due to the action of a contractile ring composed of actin and myosin filaments that constrict the cell's surface.
In plant cells, cytokinesis is more complicated due to the presence of a rigid cell wall. Instead of forming a cleavage furrow, plant cells build a structure known as the cell plate. This cell plate forms at the center of the cell and expands outward until it fuses with the existing cell wall, resulting in two separate daughter cells, each with its own membrane and a new cell wall.
Cytokinesis is crucial for the proper distribution of genetic material and organelles to the daughter cells, enabling them to function independently.