Cytokinesis is the process in which the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. During cytokinesis, the part of the cell that actually divides is the cytoplasm, along with its associated organelles. This process is crucial because it ensures that each new cell receives the proper amount of cytoplasmic material to function effectively.
Typically, in animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane inwards, separating the two daughter cells. In plant cells, a cell plate forms along the center of the cell where the metaphase plate used to be, leading to the development of a new cell wall between the two daughter cells.
Overall, cytokinesis is the final step in the cell division cycle, following mitosis, and it is essential for the proper distribution of cellular components to the new cells.