Which statement correctly describes cytokinesis in plant cells?

Which statement correctly describes cytokinesis in plant cells?

• A. It forms a cleavage furrow that pinches membrane inward
• B. It does not require vesicles
• C. It forms a cell plate that develops into separating cell walls
• D. It occurs during metaphase

Answer: (C)

In plant cells, cytokinesis happens by forming a cell plate that eventually becomes the separating cell walls. Because plant cells have rigid cell walls, they can’t pinch the membrane inward to divide like animal cells do with a cleavage furrow. Instead, vesicles derived from the Golgi fuse at the center of the cell to build a cell plate. This plate enlarges and eventually joins with the existing cell membranes to create a separating cell wall between the two daughter cells, delivering the materials needed to construct those walls. Vesicles are essential here because they bring the components for the new cell wall to the center where the plate forms. This process occurs after chromosomes have separated, during cytokinesis, not during metaphase.

In plant cells, cytokinesis happens by forming a cell plate that eventually becomes the separating cell walls. Because plant cells have rigid cell walls, they can’t pinch the membrane inward to divide like animal cells do with a cleavage furrow. Instead, vesicles derived from the Golgi fuse at the center of the cell to build a cell plate. This plate enlarges and eventually joins with the existing cell membranes to create a separating cell wall between the two daughter cells, delivering the materials needed to construct those walls. Vesicles are essential here because they bring the components for the new cell wall to the center where the plate forms. This process occurs after chromosomes have separated, during cytokinesis, not during metaphase.