How is plant cell cytokinesis different from animal cell cytokinesis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Plant cells deposit vesicles containing cell-wall building blocks on the metaphase plate, while animal cells form a cleavage furrow. The structural differences between plant and animal cells result in different mechanisms of cytokinesis. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that prevents the formation of a cleavage furrow. Instead, during cell division, vesicles containing cell wall-building blocks accumulate in the center of the cell, forming a structure called the cell plate. The cell plate gradually grows towards the cell membrane, eventually dividing the cell in two. In contrast, in animal cells, a contractile ring of actin and myosin filaments forms around the cell, pinching it in the middle and creating two new cells.

How Is Plant Cell Cytokinesis Different from Animal Cell Cytokinesis