Telophase is the fifth and final phase of mitosis, the process that separates duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell into two identical daughter cells. This phase follows anaphase and marks the end of the mitotic division.
During telophase, the replicated chromosomes, which were pulled apart during anaphase, reach the opposite poles of the cell. The spindle fibers that helped move the chromosomes begin to disappear, and the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei. The cytoplasm of the cell then divides in a process called cytokinesis, ultimately resulting in two daughter cells with their own nuclei containing identical genetic material.
Here are some key characteristics of telophase:
- Chromosomes gather at the poles: The replicated chromosomes, now separated into two distinct sets, cluster at opposite ends of the cell.
- Spindle fibers disappear: The spindle fibers that were essential for chromosome movement during anaphase break down and vanish.
- Nuclear envelope reforms: Around each set of chromosomes, a new nuclear envelope forms, creating two distinct nuclei within the cell.
- Cytokinesis begins: The division of the cytoplasm, called cytokinesis, starts to occur, ultimately separating the cell into two daughter cells.
Telophase marks the completion of mitosis, ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information. This process is essential for growth, development, and repair in multicellular organisms.
