What is the Difference between Plant Mitosis and Animal Mitosis?

The difference between plant mitosis and animal mitosis can be seen based on certain criteria such as the location of mitosis, factors influencing the mitosis, the process of cytokinesis etc. Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in both animal cells and plant cells. It is very essential for the growth of the organism. Moreover, mitosis is also essential for repairing any body wound. Though the overall process of mitosis is almost the same in plants and animals certain differences can also be seen.

Difference Between Plant Mitosis and Animal Mitosis

Mitosis in plant cells and animal cells is almost similar. But, there are some differences also. The differences between them are listed below in the table:

Criteria	Plant Mitosis	Animal Mitosis
Location	Mitosis in plants takes place in meristematic cells i.e. the cells that are present at the tip of the root and the tip of the stem.	In animals, mitosis takes place in every somatic cell.
Spindle Fibres	Spindle Fibres in plants are not produced from centrioles. Because plant cells lack centrosomes.	Spindle fibres are produced from centrioles.
Aster Rays	Spindle fibres lack astral rays.	Aster rays are found on spindle fibres.
Cytokinesis	Cytokinesis occurs by the formation of a cell plate.	Cytokinesis occurs by the formation of a cleavage furrow.
Mode of Cytokinesis	It occurs centrifugally i.e. start from the centre of the cell and move towards the periphery of the cell.	It occurs centripetally i.e. starts from the periphery of the cell and then moves inward.
Factors	Cytokinin hormone controls mitosis in plants.	It is regulated by several factors such as lymphokines, PDGF etc.
Shape of Cell	Shape of a plant cell does not change before mitosis.	An Animal parent cell becomes round in its shape before the starting of mitosis.

Mitosis in Plants

In plants, mitosis takes place in the meristematic tissues. Such tissues are located at the tip of the root and at the tip of the stem of a plant. Meristematic tissues cause the growth of the plant. So, to promote growth, mitosis occurs in the cells of the meristematic tissue. In plants, mitosis takes place in five stages. They are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis. The first four phases (prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase) are responsible for the equal distribution of chromosomes and the last phase is responsible for the division of cytoplasm into two daughter cells.

Mitosis in Animals

In animals, mitosis occurs in every somatic cell. Animal cell mitosis is also divisible into five steps and they are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis. Thus, a parent animal cell is divided into two daughter cells with equal amounts of genetic material in each daughter cell.

Significance of Mitosis

The significance of mitosis are stated below:

• Mitosis or the equational division plays various important roles in the survival of a plant or animal.
• Mitosis produces two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as in the parent cell. So, it maintains a constant number of chromosomes in each body cell of an organism.
• Two daughter cells are produced from a parent cell in mitosis and thus it helps in the growth and development of any plant or animal.
• It also helps in repairing and in regeneration of damaged tissues in an organism by producing new cells.
• Mitosis, a process of producing new cells, thus is also important for asexual reproduction and vegetative propagation in plants.

Conclusion – Plant Mitosis and Animal Mitosis

Mitosis or “the equational division” divides a parent cell into two daughter cells with equal number of chromosomes in each. Though the process of mitosis in animals and in plants is almost similar but certain difference between plant mitosis and animal mitosis can be seen. Mitosis is essential for the growth and development of any plant or animal.

FAQs on Plant and Animal Mitosis

Write the Difference between Plant Mitosis and Animal Mitosis?

Cytokinesis is the main difference between plant mitosis and animal mitosis. In plants, cytokinesis takes place by cell plate formation. In animals, cytokinesis occurs by the formation of a cleavage furrow.

How Plant Mitosis and Animal Mitosis are different in Terms of Ploidy?

In plant cells, mitosis occurs in both haploid and diploid cells. But, in animals, mitosis is found to occur only in diploid somatic cells.

How is the Telophase Stage in Plants Different from the Telophase Stage in Animals?

In plants, cell plate formation occurs in telophase that will ultimately divide two newly formed daughter cells. In animals, the contractile ring formation starts in anaphase which continues to grow in telophase to divide the daughter cells.

What type of Cell Division (Mitosis or Meiosis) can be seen in Plants and Animals?

Both Mitosis and Meiosis can be found in plants and animals. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells of animals and plants. Meiosis occurs only in the germ cells of animals and in the spore forming cells of plants.

What is the Main Significance of Mitosis?

Mitosis helps to maintain a constant number of chromosomes in each body cell. Moreover, it is also essential for the growth of an organism.