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The Phragmoplast

The Phragmoplast

Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...

The Phragmoplast

The Phragmoplast

Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...

Animal and Plant Cell Structure

Animal and Plant Cell Structure

Animal and plant cells not only differ in their structure, function, and mode of nutrition but also in how they reproduce, specialize, and organize into complex structures.
Cell Division
Though both plant and animal cells divide by mitosis (for non-gametic cells) and meiosis (for gametic cells), they differ in the specifics of this process. Unlike animal cells, plant cells lack centrosomes — an organelle responsible for organizing the spindle fibers and segregating the chromosomes during cell...

Plant Cell Wall

Plant Cell Wall

The plant cell wall gives plant cells shape, support, and protection. As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to the cell type. For example, the parenchyma cells of leaves possess only a thin, primary cell wall.Collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells, on the other hand, mainly occur in the outer layers of a plant's stems and leaves. These cells provide the plant with strength and support by either partially thickening their primary cell wall (i.e., collenchyma), or depositing a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves

Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves

Published on: December 2, 2016

Cortical division zone establishment in plant cells.

Daniel Van Damme¹, Marleen Vanstraelen, Danny Geelen

¹Department of Plant Systems Biology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.

Trends in Plant Science

|September 4, 2007

Summary

Plant cell division requires precise spatial organization, guided by cytoskeletal structures like the preprophase band and actin-depleted zones. This review explores how the plasma membrane contributes to establishing the division plane in plant cells.

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Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves

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Area of Science:

Plant cell biology
Cytoskeletal dynamics
Cell division

Background:

Plant cell division is spatially organized to control cell volume and growth direction.
Specialized cytoskeletal structures ensure correct cell wall orientation during division.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the spatial and structural organization of the cortical division zone in plant cells.
To discuss the role of the plasma membrane in division plane establishment.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on plant cell division.
Analysis of cytoskeletal structures (microtubules and actin).

Main Results:

The preprophase band (microtubules) defines the future division plane.
Cortical actin is depleted at the division site, forming an actin-depleted zone.
This actin-depleted zone persists throughout mitosis.

Conclusions:

Cytoskeletal elements, including the preprophase band and actin dynamics, are crucial for spatial organization of cell division.
Evidence suggests the plasma membrane plays a role in establishing the division plane.