Question

How is cellular division different in animal cells and plant cells?

a. In animal cells, a cell wall separates the two new cells. In plant cells, the cytoplasm splits
b. In animal cells, the cytoplasm splits. In plant cells, a cell wall separates the two new cells
c. In animal cells, the chromosomes of the daughter cells are half of the chromosomes of the parent cells. In plant cells, the chromosomes of the daughter cells are equal to the chromosomes of the parent cells.
d. In animal cells, the chromosomes of the daughter cells are equal to the chromosomes of the parent cells. In plant cells, the chromosomes of the daughter cells are half of the chromosomes of the parent cells.
e. None of the above

Answer 1

In cellular division, animal cells form a cleavage furrow to split the cytoplasm, while plant cells develop a cell plate that becomes the new cell wall separating the two daughter cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cytokinesis, the process during which the cytoplasm splits and separates the daughter cells after mitosis, differs notably between animal and plant cells. In animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, where the plasma membrane pinches inward because of the contraction of an actin ring, until two separate daughter cells are formed. This is facilitated by microfilament rings that contract at the cell's equator. In contrast, plant cells, which have a rigid cell wall, cannot form a cleavage furrow.

Instead, a cell plate forms along the middle of the cell, which develops into a new plasma membrane and eventually becomes the new cell wall, dividing the cell into two new daughter cells.These differences are due to the structural components that are unique to each type of cell. For instance, plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a central vacuole, all of which lack in animal cells. Conversely, features like centrioles and lysosomes are present in animal cells but absent in plant cells.