D2.1.2—Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis divides cytoplasm after nuclear division, using cleavage furrows in animal cells and cell plates in plant cells during division.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D2.1.2
- Level
- SL
Cytokinesis divides cytoplasm after nuclear division, using cleavage furrows in animal cells and cell plates in plant cells during division.

Coverage 2014–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Cytokinesis splits the cytoplasm of a parent cell between its daughter cells, but animal and plant cells achieve the split differently.
| Cell type | Cytokinesis mechanism |
|---|---|
| Animal | A contractile ring of actin and myosin tightens, pulling the plasma membrane inward to form a cleavage furrow |
| Plant | Vesicles fuse at the centre to build new membrane; their contents contribute to a cell plate and new cell wall |
An animal cell pinches from its outer edge toward the centre, whereas a plant cell builds the separating plate from the centre outward.
Cytokinesis divides cytoplasm; mitosis or meiosis divides the nucleus. The events can overlap in time but are not the same process.
This objective is assessed through structured response, commonly using Compare / Explain.
Compare / Explain
Build the answer around this relationship: Cytokinesis separates cytoplasm to complete cell division.
Confusing cytokinesis with mitosis instead of separating cytoplasmic division from nuclear division.
Representative question
Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis in animal and plant cells.
Similarities: [6 max]
a. (in both plants and animals) produces two genetically identical daughter cells;
b. maintains the chromosome number/genome of cell / produces diploid/2n cells;
c. used for generation of new cells/cell replacement/tissue repair/growth;
d. in prophase the chromatin/chromosome condenses/formation of chromatids/supercoiling of chromosomes;
e. supercoiling of DNA around histones (to form nucleosomes);
f. microtubules/microtubule motors to move chromosomes/chromatids;
g. in metaphase chromosomes align in equator of cell;
h. in anaphase separation of chromatids;
i. in telophase two nuclei/cells form / nuclear membrane/envelope reforms
OR
cytokinesis is the division into two cells;
Differences:
j. in animal cell centrosomes/centrioles facilitates the organization of the mitotic spindle/ spindle poles/microtubules;
Marking points for 8c continued on next page....
Marking guidance:
Max 6 for similarities.
Allow clearly annotated diagrams.
8 max
8c continued ....
8.
c
k. in plant cells spindle fibres attach to walls;
I. in animal cells, the plasma membrane is pulled inwards around the equator to form a cleavage furrow in cytokinesis
OR
in animal cells actin and myosin pinch cell membrane to split cytoplasm/cytokinesis;
m. in plant cells a cell plate forms (at the equator) to develop into the new cell wall to achieve cytokinesis
OR
in plant cell vesicles (containing pectin) assemble sections of membrane/cell wall (at/across the equator) to achieve splitting/cytokinesis;