Cytokinesis Flashcards

Cytokinesis Overview

• Cytokinesis is the process dividing the cytoplasm between daughter cells after mitosis or meiosis.
• The outcome of cytokinesis is the formation of two distinct daughter cells.

Cytokinesis in Animal Cells

• In animal cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cleavage furrow.
• The cleavage furrow develops as the cytoplasm is pinched, ultimately splitting the cell in two.

Cytokinesis in Plant Cells

• Plant cells utilize a different method, forming cell plates between the two new cells.
• These cell plates eventually develop into cell walls, facilitating the separation of daughter cells.

Cytokinesis after Mitosis

• Mitosis can occur in cells that may have multiple nuclei.
• Some of these cells may skip the cytokinesis step, resulting in cells with more than one nucleus.

Cytokinesis and Meiosis

• Not every cell undergoing meiosis completes cytokinesis in a manner that evenly divides the cytoplasm.
• An example of unequal cytoplasmic division following meiosis is observed in human female gamete production.