Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis
Animal Cell Undergoing Cytokinesis. Credit: Martin Wuehr, Timothy Mitchison / Cell Image Library
By
Regina Bailey
Biology Expert
  • B.A., Biology, Emory University
  • A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College
Regina Bailey is a board-certified registered nurse, science writer and educator. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists."
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Regina Bailey
Updated March 08, 2017

Definition:

Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells that produces distinct daughter cells. Cytokinesis occurs at the end of the cell cycle following mitosis or meiosis.

In animal cell division, cytokinesis occurs when a contractile ring of microfilaments forms a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane in half. In plant cells, a cell plate is constructed that divides the cell in two.