telophase

[ tel-uh-feyz, tee-luh- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the final stage of meiosis or mitosis, in which the separated chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the dividing cell and the nuclei of the daughter cells form around the two sets of chromosomes.

telophase

/ ˈtɛləˌfeɪz /

noun

1. the final stage of mitosis, during which a set of chromosomes is present at each end of the cell and a nuclear membrane forms around each, producing two new nuclei See also prophase metaphase anaphase
2. the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

telophase

/ tĕl′ə-fāz′ /

1. 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.
2. See more at meiosis

Derived Forms

• ˌteloˈphasic, adjective

Other Words From

• telo·phasic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of telophase¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; telo- ² + phase

Example Sentences

However, if any chromosomes lag behind the rest and are still in the middle of the dividing cell during telophase, they become isolated and can form a separate small nucleus called a micronucleus.

From Nature

The metaphase is the parting of the sister chromosomes in the equatorial plate; their passage to opposite poles of the spindle constitutes the anaphase; and their reconstruction to form the resting daughter nuclei, the telophase.

From Project Gutenberg

Figure 122 shows the telophase of the first division with the spindle for the second division forming.

From Project Gutenberg

At a later stage of cell division termed telophase, a nuclear envelope reassembles around the chromosomes to form a nucleus in each daughter cell.

From Nature