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
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Compare
- Explain
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Confusing cytokinesis with mitosis instead of separating cytoplasmic division from nuclear division.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1B ["SL"] · TZ34(b)[ 2 ]D2.1.2—Cytokinesis
May 2014Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ13[ 1 ]D2.1.2—Cytokinesis
Practice this objective
Coverage 2014–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Cytokinesis separates cytoplasm to complete cell division.
- Animal cells divide cytoplasm by an actin-myosin contractile ring.
- Plant cells form a vesicle-derived cell plate and new wall.
- Cytokinesis follows nuclear division to produce separate daughter cells.