The given diagram shows a stage during mitotic division in an animal cell: The given diagram shows a stage during mitotic division in an animal cell:
In what two ways is mitotic division in an animal cell different from the mitotic division in a plant cell?
Topic: Mitosis in plant and animal cells
Answer
- ASTERS are FORMED in an animal cell (around the centrioles), but NOT in a plant cell, which has no centrioles.
- CYTOKINESIS occurs by the formation of a FURROW in the cytoplasm in an animal cell, but by CELL PLATE FORMATION in a plant cell.
TWO differences are asked for, and these are the only two that matter at this level — the four stages themselves are IDENTICAL in plants and animals.
THE REASON BEHIND THE SECOND, which makes it impossible to forget: a plant cell has a RIGID CELL WALL. You cannot pinch a rigid box in half from the outside, so the plant builds a new partition from the middle instead. An animal cell has only a flexible membrane, which can be constricted like a drawstring.
GIVE THE DIRECTION in each case — periphery inwards against centre outwards. That is where the mark lies.
| Point of difference | Animal cell | Plant cell |
|---|---|---|
| Aster | Formed, around the centrioles | Not formed; no centrioles present |
| Cytokinesis | By a furrow, from the periphery INWARDS | By a cell plate, from the centre OUTWARDS |