MadSci Network: Cell Biology |
Dear Jack, I have summarized below the main differences between cell division in animals and plants and have listed some links to sites that might clarify some of the scientific terms I mention in my answer. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Sabine Heinhorst. Differences between Mitosis of Animal and Plant Cells Prophase: Plants, Animals: Chromosomes condense. Animals: mitotic spindle forms between centrosomes on one side of the nucleus. Plants: cortical microtubules grow together to form the spindle around the nuclear envelope. Preprophase band (actin, microtubules) forms under the plasma membrane at the place where the new cell wall will be formed when the cell divides. Prometaphase: Plants, Animals: Nuclear envelope breaks down, chromosomes move to metaphase plate, spindle captures chromosomes. Plants: Preprophase band breaks down. Exact function of this structure is not know, maybe changes the cell wall to “mark the spot” for new cell wall formation during division. Metaphase: Plants, Animals: Chromosomes align at spindle equator. Anaphase: Plants, Animals: Chromosomes move towards cell poles. Telophase: Plants, Animals: Nuclear envelopes reform and chromosomes begin to decondense, spindle breaks down. Animals: Contractile ring (actin, myosin) forms approximately midway between the two nuclei in the dividing cell. Plants: Phragmoplast (actin, myosin, microtubules) forms in center of cell, where new cell wall will be formed. Cytokinesis (actual division): Animals: Contractile ring contracts and pinches the two daughter cells apart. Plants: Phragmoplast extends to cell wall on both sides of original cell, new cell wall between the two daughter cells is completed. cytoskeleton (microtubules, actin filaments etc.): http://www.a ccessexcellence.org/AB/GG/cytoSkeleton.html chromosome: http://www.acc essexcellence.org/AB/GG/chromosome.html mitosis: http://www.access excellence.org/AB/GG/mitosis.html http://www.bioweb.unc c.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm (actual micrographs of plant and animal mitosis are shown here)
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