Animal Cell Cytokinesis: Cleavage Furrow

Mechanism: Actin-myosin contractile ring assembles at the equatorial plane Direction: Centripetal — contracts from the outside (plasma membrane) inward toward the centre Why it works: Animal cells lack a rigid wall; the flexible plasma membrane can be "pinched" Real-world analogy: Tightening a drawstring bag from outside inward NEET keyword: "Centripetal constriction" or "cleavage furrow"

Plant Cell Cytokinesis: Cell Plate

Mechanism: Golgi-derived vesicles containing pectin and hemicellulose are delivered to the equatorial plane by the phragmoplast (microtubule array); vesicles fuse to form the cell plate Direction: Centrifugal — grows from the centre outward toward the cell wall Why it's different: Rigid cell wall cannot be pinched; must build new wall from scratch Real-world analogy: Building a wall from the middle of a room outward to the edges NEET keyword: "Centrifugal" or "cell plate formation" or "Golgi-derived vesicles"

Summary Comparison