Difference Between Plant & Animal Cell Division

Plant and animal cells undergo mitosis.

Unlike bacteria, plant and animal cells divide using a process called mitosis. Mitosis proceeds after the same basics steps in plants and animals, but there are some differences. In addition, mitchondria divide and are distributed to both daughter cells. In photosynthetic plant cells, chloroplasts must also divide and be distributed to both daughter cells.

The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle

Plants and animals are eukaryotes (their DNA is found inside nuclei in their cells) so their cells and mitotic processes are alike in many ways. The major phases of the mitotic cell cycle can be remembered by the mnemonic acronym IPMAT--interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase, followed by cytokenesis.

Interphase and Prophase

Interphase cells carry out their between-division normal functions according to their cell types. In plants, a preprophase band of cytoskeletal proteins appears at the future location of the cell plate. During prophase, duplicated chromosomes condense and become visible under a microscope. In animals, the mitotic spindle forms to one side of the nucleus, but in plants, the spindle forms around the nucleus.

Prometaphase and Metaphase

During prometaphase, the nuclear membrane dissolves, chromosomes attach to mictotubules and the chromosomes begin moving. In plants, the preprophase band disappears. At metaphase, the chromosomes are aligned at the center of the cell.

Anaphase

During anaphase, the chromosomes move apart toward opposite poles of the mother cell. There are no major differences between plants and animals.

Telophase

During telophase, the chromosomes are fully separated at opposite poles of the cell and new nuclei begin to form around them. The chromosomes become invisible as they return to their uncondensed conformation. In plants, a band of cytoskeletal proteins forms between the nuclei at the future site of new cell wall formation. In animals, a contractile ring forms around the middle of the cell.

Cytokenisis

In animals, the mother cell is pinched in the middle by the contractile ring to fuse the membrane and separate the new nuclei. In plants, a new section of cell wall forms between the divided nuclei to form two distinct cells.

References

• Differences Between Mitosis of Animal and Plant Cells, Sabine Heinhorst,, Ph.D.; 2002

Resources

• Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial