The process by which the cytoplasm of a cell divides is called cytokinesis. Cytokinesis occurs at the end of the telophase phase. Differences in cytokinesis can be observed in plant cells and animal cells.
1. Cytokinesis in plant cells: Towards the end of the telophase phase, the equatorial region of the cell spindle apparatus gradually widens and touches the cell wall. Then the spindle machines disappeared. Lysosome-like phragosomes accumulate in the equatorial region of the cell. Later phragosomes fuse to form plasmalemma or cell membrane. A variety of substances accumulate on the plasmalemma and form the cell plate. Cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and other substances accumulate on the cell plate to form the cell wall. When the cell wall is formed, the cytoplasm divides into two parts. As a result, two new cells are formed.
2. Cytokinesis in animal cells: Towards the end of telophase, the cell membrane intrudes from both sides along the equator and forms a cleavage furrow. Actin proteins and myosin proteins help form grooves in the cell membrane. The cytoplasm of the cell begins to contract from the periphery along the transverse midline. This constriction gradually expands and divides the cytoplasm into two parts. As a result, two new cells are formed.