Re: Why doesn't the cytoplasm pinch in following telophase in plant cells?

Caitland,

The plant cell, unlike an animal cell, is surrounded by a cellulose cell 
wall in addition to being surrounded by plasma membrane.  Following 
mitosis, a new cell plate is laid down between the two new nuclei.  
Adjoining cells are connected to each other by structures called 
plasmadesmata which are thin strands of cytoplasm and membrane.  When a 
plant cell is plasmalized (put in a solution that has fewer salts than 
inside the cell) water exits the cell and plasma membrane pulls away from 
the cell wall.  The membrane does not pull away from the wall in the 
location of the plasmadesmata so, this may be a reason why the plasma 
membrane does not pinch inward.  However, I could find no references to 
this on the Internet or in my library.  I am just going on observations I 
have made on plasmolysis in moss cells. In animal cells the membrane is 
not been pinched inward as much as it is being pulled inward.  I hope this 
helps.