How does a plant cell accomplish cytokinesis?

• A. By splitting the nucleus into two separate nuclei
• B. By forming a cell plate that develops into a new cell wall
• C. By pinching the cell membrane inward to divide the cell
• D. By dissolving the existing cell wall to allow division

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cytokinesis is the process of dividing the cytoplasm of a parent cell into two daughter cells after mitosis.
2. Recognize that plant cells have a rigid cell wall, which requires a different mechanism for cytokinesis compared to animal cells.
3. Learn that during plant cell cytokinesis, a structure called the cell plate forms at the center of the cell where the metaphase plate used to be.
4. The cell plate is formed by vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus, which coalesce at the center of the cell.
5. These vesicles fuse to form a new cell wall, separating the two daughter cells, completing cytokinesis in plant cells.