Which phase involves the division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells?

Which phase involves the division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells?

• A. G1 phase
• B. Cytokinesis
• C. S phase
• D. M phase

Answer: (B)

Dividing the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells is cytokinesis. After the chromosomes are duplicated and segregated during mitosis, the cell finishes division by splitting its cytoplasm. In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin pinches the membrane inward to create a cleavage furrow that splits the cell. In plant cells, vesicles coalesce at the center to form a cell plate that becomes separating cell walls, dividing the cytoplasm. This step is part of the M phase, which covers both nuclear division (mitosis) and cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis). The other phases focus on growth and DNA replication, not the actual division of the cell into two.

Dividing the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells is cytokinesis. After the chromosomes are duplicated and segregated during mitosis, the cell finishes division by splitting its cytoplasm. In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin pinches the membrane inward to create a cleavage furrow that splits the cell. In plant cells, vesicles coalesce at the center to form a cell plate that becomes separating cell walls, dividing the cytoplasm. This step is part of the M phase, which covers both nuclear division (mitosis) and cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis). The other phases focus on growth and DNA replication, not the actual division of the cell into two.