# Cytokinesis

The splitting of the cytoplasm after mitosis. Animal cells pinch in two with a ring of actin (a cleavage furrow). Plant cells build a new cell wall (cell plate) down the middle.

Biology (university) · Part 06: Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis · Card 4 of 8 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

Tying off a balloon animal versus building a wall across a room.

## In practice

Without cytokinesis a cell becomes one cell with two nuclei, as in some muscle fibres.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **How does cytokinesis differ in plants and animals?** Animals pinch in with a cleavage furrow. Plants build a cell plate.

## Questions people ask

### Can a cell divide its nucleus but not its cytoplasm?

Yes. If cytokinesis fails, the result is a cell with two nuclei. This happens in some tissues naturally. Skeletal muscle fibres, for example, have many nuclei, formed by cells fusing. In dividing cells it is usually an error and can lead to cells with abnormal chromosome numbers.

### Why do plant cells form a cell plate?

Plant cells have a stiff cell wall, so they cannot pinch in two. Instead, vesicles from the Golgi gather in the middle of the cell, fuse into a new plate, and grow outward until they reach the existing walls. A new cell wall then forms on each side.

## Related concepts

- [Cell cycle](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-university/biology-university-part-6/biology-university-part-6-concept-1)
- [Cell cycle checkpoint](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-university/biology-university-part-6/biology-university-part-6-concept-2)
- [Mitosis](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-university/biology-university-part-6/biology-university-part-6-concept-3)
- [Cancer](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-university/biology-university-part-6/biology-university-part-6-concept-5)

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