Final answer:
Cytokinesis differs in plant and animal cells because plant cells, unlike animal cells, have a cell wall that necessitates the formation of a cell plate to complete cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences in Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis is the process that divides the cell cytoplasm into two daughter cells following mitosis. It occurs differently in animal and plant cells. The feature that distinguishes plant cells in this process is the cell wall. Animal cells form a cleavage furrow during cytokinesis, which pinches the cell into two separate cells. In contrast, plant cells, which have a rigid cell wall, must construct a cell plate that eventually develops into separate walls dividing the two new cells.
Plant cells have other unique features as well, including chloroplasts for photosynthesis, plasmodesmata for intercellular communication, and a large central vacuole that provides structural support and stores nutrients and waste products. In contrast, animal cells contain centrioles and lysosomes and do not have a cell wall or chloroplasts.