What is Cell Division??
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
It is an important biological process in many organisms. It is the technique used by multicellular organisms to grow, repair, and reproduce. In unicellular organisms, cell division is comparable to reproduction. Generally, there are only two forms of cell division:
- Direct cell division
- Indirect cell division
In direct cell division, the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the cell divide directly into two parts. This form of cell division is also pointed out as amitosis. The indirect cell division comprises complicated adjustments within the cell (e.g. formation of chromosomes) before the parent cell divides and makes daughter cells. Mitosis is a cell division that consists of an oblique method of making daughter cells.
Cell division is frequently used interchangeably with mitosis, a process comprising karyokinesis and cytokinesis ending in two genetically identical cells. Cell division is not limited to mitosis, it is also taking place in meiosis, which is a process giving origin to cells with non-identical genetic material.
So, cell division is a biological method that took part in the growth and reproduction of various organisms. It is also a part of the cell cycle of any organism.
There are two types of cell division:
- Mitosis
- Meiosis
Mitosis:
Mitosis is the cell division process in which a non-reproductive cell divides into two daughter cells.
There are 5 phrases in mitotic cell division:
- Prophase
- Prometaphase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
What is Cytokinesis:
Cytokinesis is the process by which the cytoplasm from the parent cell devices into two parts to form two daughter cells. It starts at the late stages of mitosis, that is telophase.
Cytokinesis is the precise activity of the physical separation of one cell into two after the division of the nucleus through its reproduction in mitosis or meiosis.
There are some similarities and dissimilarities between cytokinesis in animal cells and plant cells.
Differences in Plant & Animal Mitosis Cell Division
- In plant cells, the cells are divided by the formation of a cell plate in the middle of the mother cell. On the other hand, the animal cells are divided by the formation of cleavage on both sides of the mother cells.
- In the case of plant cells, the cell plate moves from the center to the periphery, but in animal cells, the cleavage furrow grows from the periphery to the center.
- In plant cells, the vesicles from the Golgi apparatus carry cell wall materials to the equator of the cell and create a cell plate that drives towards the edge of the cell. On the other hand, in animal cells, a contractile ring is constructed in the middle of the cell by the actin and myosin filaments that drag the cleavage furrow towards the center.
Similarities:
- Both animal and plant cell cytokinesis occur after the telophase of the nuclear division.
- Both plant and animal cells split into two halves to form two daughter cells.
- Both happen in the last stage of cell division.
