FtsZ is a bacterial cytoskeletal protein that forms a contractile ring involved in binary fission. Its function is analogous to ________.

• A. the cleavage furrow of eukaryotic animal cells.
• B. the cell plate of eukaryotic plant cells.
• C. the mitotic spindle of eukaryotic cells.
• D. the microtubule-organizing center of eukaryotic cells.