telophase tel·o·phase (těl'ə-fāz', tē'lə-)
n.
The final stage of mitosis or meiosis during which the chromosomes of daughter cells are grouped in new nuclei.
telophase (těl'ə-fāz') The final phase of cell division, in which membranes form around the two groups of chromosomes, each at opposite ends of the cell, to produce the two nuclei of the daughter cells. The spindle disappears, and the cytoplasm usually divides (in the process called cytokinesis). In mitosis, telophase is preceded by anaphase. In meiosis, telophase occurs twice, once as part of the first meiotic division (when it is usually called telophase I) and once during the second meiotic division (when it is usually called telophase II). During telophase I, the members of pairs of homologous chromosomes which have separated during anaphase I (anaphase of the first meiotic division) regroup at the two ends of the cell. During telophase II, the individual chromatids that separated during anaphase II (anaphase of the second meiotic division) regroup at the ends of the cell. See more at meiosis, mitosis. |