Science, Tech, Math Science Cytokinesis Share Flipboard Email Print Animal Cell Undergoing Cytokinesis. Credit: Martin Wuehr, Timothy Mitchison / Cell Image Library Science Biology Basics Cells Genetics Organisms Anatomy Physiology Botany Ecology Chemistry Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate by Regina Bailey Regina Bailey is a science writer and educator who has covered biology for ThoughtCo since 1997. Her writing is featured in Kaplan AP Biology 2016. 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. Continue Reading