Here's a breakdown:
Animal Cells:
* Cleavage Furrow Formation: Cytokinesis begins with a constriction called the cleavage furrow on the cell surface. This furrow is formed by a contractile ring made of microfilaments (actin filaments and myosin).
* Contractile Ring: The ring contracts, pulling the cell membrane inwards and eventually pinching the cell in two.
* Daughter Cells: The two daughter cells are completely separated by the plasma membrane.
Plant Cells:
* Cell Plate Formation: Instead of a cleavage furrow, plant cells form a cell plate between the two daughter nuclei.
* Golgi Apparatus: The cell plate originates from Golgi-derived vesicles containing cell wall material. These vesicles migrate to the center of the cell and fuse together, forming a disc-like structure.
* Cell Wall Formation: As the cell plate grows, it fuses with the existing cell walls on both sides, effectively dividing the cell into two.
* Middle Lamella: The cell plate eventually becomes the middle lamella, a layer of pectin that acts as a glue between the cell walls of adjacent cells.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Animal Cells | Plant Cells |
|-------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Method | Cleavage Furrow | Cell Plate |
| Mechanism | Contractile Ring | Golgi-derived vesicles |
| Structure | Furrow | Plate |
| Final Separation | Plasma membrane | Cell wall |
In short, animal cells use a contractile ring to pinch the cell in two, while plant cells build a new cell wall between the daughter cells.
