telophase

Telophase is the final stage of mitosis in eukaryotic cells, following anaphase and preceding cytokinesis. During telophase, the chromosomes that were pulled to opposite poles arrive there and begin to de-condense, returning to their less visible, thread-like form. The nuclear envelope re-forms around each group of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei within the cell. The nucleolus reappears within each new nucleus, signaling the re-establishment of nuclear activity. The mitotic spindle disassembles as microtubules and other components are no longer needed for chromosome movement.

In animal cells, telophase is commonly followed by cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm: a contractile actin ring forms a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane inward, producing two separate daughter cells. In plant cells, vesicles derived from the Golgi coalesce at the center to form a cell plate, which eventually develops into separating cell walls between the daughter cells; cytokinesis proceeds concurrently with telophase as the cell plate expands outward.

In meiosis, telophase consists of telophase I and II. Telophase I results in two haploid nuclei after homologous chromosomes separate, while sister chromatids may remain attached. Telophase II follows the second division, producing four haploid daughter cells as the sister chromatids finally separate and new nuclei form.