What is cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis refers to the physical process of cell division. During cytokinesis, a single eukaryotic cell physically divides into two distinct daughter cells. It represents the major reproductive process of unicellular organisms, and typically occurs only after mitosis is complete and the chromosomes have separated. This ensures that each of the new daughter cells receives a full set of chromosomes along with all essential cytoplasmic contents and cell organelles. In animal cells, cytokinesis is achieved when the cell membrane is divided into half by a cleavage furrow formed by a contractile ring of the cell microtubules. In plant cells, cytokinesis starts with the formation of a cell plate that begins in the middle of the cell and extends on both sides until the cell is completely divided into two. In both animal and plant cells, completion of cytokinesis results in the formation of two fully developed daughter cells.