How does mitosis differ between plants and animals?


Quick Answer

Differences between plant and animal cell mitosis include the presence of mid bodies, the role microfilaments play in cytokinesis and whether centrosome occurs. Initially, animal cell mitosis occurs in the epithelia and bone marrow, while plant cell mitosis is found in meristems.

Continue Reading

Full Answer

One major difference between animal and plant cell mitosis is that an animal cell becomes rounded in the stages prior to division, but a plant cell does not change shape at this stage. Another difference is that plant cell mitosis is caused by a specific plant hormone, but there is no specific hormone known to cause mitosis in animal cells. Instead, a number of hormones have been observed as inducing the division of cells.

Centrosome, which is the process by which the organelle near the cell nucleus divides and moves to opposite sides of the cell during mitosis, is essential for animal cell mitosis but is absent in plant cell mitosis.

Another difference between animal and plant cell mitosis lies in the processes of cleavage and cell plate growth. Cell cleavage occurs centripetally, meaning it is directed toward the center, in animal cell mitosis. On the other hand, in plant cell mitosis, the cell plate grows outward instead of cleaving inward.

Learn more about Cells

Related Questions