Compare cytokinesis in plant and animal cells
Cytokinesis separates daughter-cell cytoplasm; an animal cell pinches inward, whereas a plant cell builds a cell plate between daughter nuclei.
Section 5.2 · Chromosome behaviour in mitosis
AS Level · Cambridge International Biology 9700, 2028–2030. These lessons explain cell-cycle concepts and image interpretation. Written practice is self-checked; it does not demonstrate practical microscopy competence or replace teacher-reviewed assessment.
Before you begin
- Recognise DNA as genetic material and use the terms cell, nucleus and chromosome accurately.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What forms between daughter nuclei during plant-cell cytokinesis?
What you will learn
- Describe the role of the cell surface membrane in cytokinesis
- Compare cytokinesis in animal and plant cells
Animal cells divide by a cleavage furrow
In animal-cell cytokinesis, the cell surface membrane constricts inward around the middle of the cell. This cleavage furrow deepens until the cytoplasm is separated into two daughter cells.
The nuclear division has already placed a nucleus at each pole. The membrane constriction divides the cytoplasm; it is not the event that separates sister chromatids.
Plant cells build a cell plate
A rigid cell wall prevents a plant cell from pinching inward in the same way. Vesicles gather at the middle of the cell and fuse to form a cell plate between the daughter nuclei. The plate develops into new membrane and cell wall material, separating the daughter cells.
Both processes divide cytoplasm after mitosis. The different mechanism is related to the plant cell wall; do not draw a cleavage furrow as the normal plant-cell solution.
Pause and explain
How does an animal cell commonly begin cytokinesis?
Worked example
A dividing cell has a rigid wall and a growing partition across its centre. Identify the cell type and explain the partition.
Show the worked solution
- A rigid wall indicates a plant cell.
- The partition is a cell plate that develops between daughter cells.
Answer This is a plant cell. Vesicles fuse at the centre to form a cell plate, which develops into new membrane and cell wall material and separates the daughter cells.
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Compare cytokinesis in plant and animal cells.
Give me a hint
Describe the mechanism in each type.
Compare my reasoning
- Animal membrane constricts inward to form a cleavage furrow.
- Plant vesicles form a cell plate that develops into new membrane and wall.
In animal cells, the cell surface membrane constricts inward, forming a cleavage furrow. In plant cells, vesicles fuse at the centre to form a cell plate that develops into new membrane and cell wall material.
Look for these in your work
- Animal mechanism described
- Plant mechanism described
Why does a plant cell form a cell plate instead of constricting inward like an animal cell?
Give me a hint
Relate the mechanism to the cell wall.
Compare my reasoning
- A rigid cell wall resists inward pinching.
- A plate grows between nuclei and separates daughter cells.
The rigid plant cell wall prevents the cell from pinching inward like an animal cell. A cell plate forms between the daughter nuclei and develops into a partition that separates the daughter cells.
Look for these in your work
- Cell wall linked to mechanism
- Cell-plate role included
A student labels the cell plate as the stage where chromosomes separate. Correct the label.
Give me a hint
Separate mitosis from cytokinesis.
Compare my reasoning
- Chromosomes separate during anaphase of mitosis.
- The cell plate forms during plant cytokinesis after nuclear division.
Chromosomes separate during anaphase of mitosis. The cell plate forms during cytokinesis, after nuclear division, and develops into a partition between the daughter cells.
Look for these in your work
- Anaphase distinguished
- Cytokinesis role corrected
Common mistakes
- Saying a plant cell pinches into two through its rigid wall
- Confusing the cell plate with the metaphase equator
- Describing cytokinesis as separation of sister chromatids
What can you explain now?
What forms between daughter nuclei during plant-cell cytokinesis?
Compare with the explanation
A cell plate
The cell plate develops into the partition between plant daughter cells.
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Make it stick
How does the cell surface membrane divide animal cells, and how does a cell plate divide plant cells?
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