Cytokinesis
From Freepedia
Cytokinesis refers to the division of a eukaryotic cell. Cytokinesis usually occurs after a cell has undergone nuclear division as part of mitosis or meiosis. Except for some special cases, the amount of cytoplasm and number of organelles and cellular components in each daughter cell is redistributed equally to each daughter cell. Notable exceptions include oogenesis, where the ovum nearly takes all the cytoplasm and organelles, leaving little for the resulting polar bodies, which then die.
In animal cells, the cell membrane forms a cleavage furrow and pinches apart like a balloon. The cleavage furrow is formed by action of microfilaments. Protein threads pinch the cell membrane until the cells are separated. In plant cells, a cell plate forms instead, which becomes the new cell wall separating the daughter cells. Vesicles containing material for the cell wall are brought to the cell plate and secreted in the formation of the cell wall.
