Which process divides the cytoplasm after mitosis or meiosis?

Which process divides the cytoplasm after mitosis or meiosis?

• A. Telophase
• B. Cytokinesis
• C. Metaphase
• D. Anaphase

Answer: (B)

The process that divides the cytoplasm after mitosis or meiosis is cytokinesis. After the chromosomes have been separated during mitosis or meiosis, the cell must physically split into two daughter cells, and cytokinesis handles that division of the cytoplasm and organelles. In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin forms a contractile ring that creates a cleavage furrow, pinching the membrane inward to split the cell. In plant cells, vesicles derived from the Golgi coalesce at the center to build a cell plate, which eventually fuses with the cell membranes to separate the two cells. Cytokinesis often overlaps with telophase, the stage where the nuclei re-form and chromosomes arrive at the poles, but the actual physical separation into two cells is accomplished by cytokinesis. The other stages focus on nuclear activities: metaphase aligns chromosomes at the center, anaphase pulls sister chromatids apart, and telophase completes reformation of the nuclei but does not by itself finish dividing the cytoplasm.

The process that divides the cytoplasm after mitosis or meiosis is cytokinesis. After the chromosomes have been separated during mitosis or meiosis, the cell must physically split into two daughter cells, and cytokinesis handles that division of the cytoplasm and organelles. In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin forms a contractile ring that creates a cleavage furrow, pinching the membrane inward to split the cell. In plant cells, vesicles derived from the Golgi coalesce at the center to build a cell plate, which eventually fuses with the cell membranes to separate the two cells. Cytokinesis often overlaps with telophase, the stage where the nuclei re-form and chromosomes arrive at the poles, but the actual physical separation into two cells is accomplished by cytokinesis. The other stages focus on nuclear activities: metaphase aligns chromosomes at the center, anaphase pulls sister chromatids apart, and telophase completes reformation of the nuclei but does not by itself finish dividing the cytoplasm.