Question

In Telophase, the nuclear membrane reforms around the new sets of chromosomes. The chromosomes begin to unwind and become thin strands again. Answer the following questions under Telophase:

• Why are the chromosomes split and pulled to opposite poles?

• How does this help with cell division?

• What happens to the chromosomes at this point?

• What cellular parts disappear and what parts reappear at this stage of mitosis?

Answer 1

1. The chromosomes are split and pulled to opposite poles in order to divide the chromosomes evenly between the two new daughter cells. The cleavage forms between the opposite poles and separates the two groups of chromosomes before telophase.

2. This helps with cell division by providing an area for the cleavage to form and divide the two daughter cells up evenly.

3. The chromosomes are released as the spindle microtubules depolymerize and form the cytoskeleton again. In order to allow for proper cell function and gene expression, the chromosomes unwind and assume their previous chromatin structure.

4. The spindle microtubules depolymerize and form the cytoskeleton, which was present in the parent cell. The nucleus reforms and wraps around the genetic material.