How does cytokinesis differ between plant and animal cells?

• A. In plant cells, cytokinesis occurs through binary fission, while in animal cells, it occurs through mitosis.
• B. In plant cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, while in animal cells, a cell plate forms.
• C. In plant cells, a cell plate forms, while in animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms.
• D. In plant cells, cytokinesis is driven by microtubules, while in animal cells, it is driven by chloroplasts.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cytokinesis is the process of cytoplasmic division that follows the end of mitosis, resulting in two daughter cells.
2. In animal cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cleavage furrow. This furrow is created by a contractile ring composed of actin and myosin filaments that constrict the cell membrane, eventually pinching the cell into two separate cells.
3. In plant cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cell plate. This process begins with the assembly of vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus at the center of the cell, which coalesce to form the cell plate. The cell plate grows outward until it fuses with the cell membrane, dividing the cell into two.
4. Recognize that the key difference is the mechanism of division: animal cells use a cleavage furrow, while plant cells use a cell plate.
5. Note that the statement about plant cells using binary fission and animal cells using mitosis is incorrect, as both plant and animal cells undergo mitosis, but cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis to divide the cytoplasm.