Telophase is characterized by which event?

Telophase is characterized by which event?

• A. Chromosomes begin to uncoil and a new nuclear membrane forms.
• B. Spindle forms anew.
• C. DNA replication occurs.
• D. Cytokinesis completes.

Answer: (A)

Telophase brings the chromosomes back into separate nuclei and ends the chromosome separation phase. The chromosomes arrive at the poles, begin to uncoil (de-condense) so they’re no longer tightly packed, and a new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei. The spindle apparatus dissolves as its job is finished, signaling the cell is moving toward division completion. DNA replication happens earlier, during the S phase, so it’s not a feature of telophase. The spindle forming anew happens in prophase, not telophase. Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, often overlaps with telophase and finishes after, so it isn’t the defining event of telophase.

Telophase brings the chromosomes back into separate nuclei and ends the chromosome separation phase. The chromosomes arrive at the poles, begin to uncoil (de-condense) so they’re no longer tightly packed, and a new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei. The spindle apparatus dissolves as its job is finished, signaling the cell is moving toward division completion.

DNA replication happens earlier, during the S phase, so it’s not a feature of telophase. The spindle forming anew happens in prophase, not telophase. Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, often overlaps with telophase and finishes after, so it isn’t the defining event of telophase.