What is the process of cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process that occurs after mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells. This process is essential for the complete separation of the cells following the division of the nucleus during mitosis. In animal cells, cytokinesis is characterized by the formation of a cleavage furrow, which pinches the cell membrane inward, ultimately resulting in two separate cells.

This mechanism ensures that each daughter cell receives its own share of the cytoplasm and cellular organelles, leading to the successful completion of cell division. The formation of the cleavage furrow is driven by a contractile ring composed of actin filaments, effectively constricting the cell's outer membrane and facilitating the separation of the two cells. Thus, the correct answer accurately captures a key aspect of the cytokinesis process.