Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the division of a cell’s cytoplasm into two daughter cells after nuclear division. Its mechanics differ between animal and plant cells.

Contractile ring: A ring of actin and myosin filaments that constricts to divide the cytoplasm of many animal cells. Its tightening draws the animal-cell membrane inward to form a cleavage furrow.
Cell cycle: The ordered series of growth, DNA replication, and division stages through which a cell reproduces. Cytokinesis is the cell cycle’s physical completion step.
Plant cell: A eukaryotic cell whose rigid wall and membrane-bound organelles distinguish it from animal cells. Its rigid wall prevents the inward membrane constriction typical of animal cytokinesis.
Polyploidy: The condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes in a cell or organism. Failed cytokinesis can leave a cell with multiple chromosome sets.
Cleavage furrow: An inward groove in a dividing animal cell’s surface that deepens as the cell separates. The furrow is the visible result of contractile-ring constriction.
Mitosis: The division of a eukaryotic cell’s nucleus into two genetically similar nuclei. Cytokinesis usually follows mitosis and separates the nuclei into daughter cells.
Animal cell: A eukaryotic cell lacking the rigid cell wall characteristic of plants, fungi, and many microbes. Its flexible surface can be drawn inward by a contractile ring.
Multinucleated cell: A cell containing multiple nuclei within a shared cytoplasm. Nuclear division without cytoplasmic separation can produce this state.
Midbody: A dense structure of bundled microtubules and associated proteins at the bridge between nearly separated daughter cells. It organizes the final stages of abscission at the division bridge.
Spindle apparatus: A microtubule-based structure that moves chromosomes during cell division. Spindle position helps determine the division plane and furrow placement.

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