Anaphase vs. Telophase — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
"Anaphase is the stage of mitosis where sister chromatids separate, while telophase is the final stage where chromosomes decondense and nuclear membranes reform."
Difference Between Anaphase and Telophase
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Anaphase is a phase in mitosis characterized by the separation of sister chromatids. During anaphase, the chromatids are pulled apart by spindle fibers towards opposite poles of the cell. This separation ensures that each new daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.
Telophase, on the other hand, is the stage following anaphase. During telophase, the chromosomes that have been separated start to decondense back into chromatin. Additionally, nuclear membranes begin to re-form around each set of chromosomes, resulting in the formation of two distinct nuclei within the cell. In anaphase, the primary focus is on the movement and segregation of chromatids. The spindle apparatus plays a crucial role here, pulling chromatids to opposite sides of the cell. In telophase, the focus shifts to re-establishing the cell’s nuclei. The nuclear envelope reforms around the separated chromatids, now called daughter chromosomes, creating two new nuclei.
The cellular structure also changes significantly between these stages. During anaphase, the cell elongates as chromatids are pulled apart. Meanwhile, in telophase, the cell prepares to divide its cytoplasm through cytokinesis. The reformation of the nuclear membranes is a key feature of telophase, signaling the near end of mitosis and the start of the final separation process.
Anaphase ensures genetic material is accurately divided, while telophase marks the restoration of normal cellular structures. Both are critical for the proper division and function of the resulting daughter cells, with anaphase focusing on distribution and telophase on reconstruction.
Comparison Chart
Stage of Mitosis
Middle phase
Final phase
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Main Event
Separation of sister chromatids
Chromosome decondensation and nuclear reformation
Chromosome Status
Chromatids are pulled to opposite poles
Chromosomes decondense into chromatin
Cellular Changes
Cell elongates
Nuclear membranes reform
Role of Spindle Fibers
Active in pulling chromatids
Begin to disassemble
Compare with Definitions
Anaphase
The stage in mitosis where sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles of the cell.
During anaphase, the chromatids move apart rapidly.
Telophase
Chromosomes unwind back into less condensed chromatin.
Chromosomes decondense during telophase.
Anaphase
Involves the shortening of spindle fibers to pull chromatids apart.
Spindle fibers contract during anaphase.
Telophase
The final stage of mitosis where chromosomes decondense and nuclear envelopes re-form.
Telophase begins once the chromatids have reached opposite poles.
Anaphase
A critical phase ensuring each daughter cell receives identical genetic material.
The separation in anaphase is crucial for genetic consistency.
Telophase
Involves the reformation of two nuclear membranes around chromosome sets.
Nuclear envelopes reappear during telophase.
Anaphase
Marks the third phase of mitosis following metaphase.
Anaphase follows the alignment of chromosomes in metaphase.
Telophase
Prepares the cell for division into two daughter cells.
Telophase ensures that each new cell has a complete nucleus.
Anaphase
Cell elongation occurs as chromatids are pulled to opposite poles.
The cell lengthens during anaphase.
Telophase
Marks the end of nuclear division, preceding cytokinesis.
Telophase transitions the cell to cytokinesis.
Anaphase
Anaphase (from the Greek ἀνά, "up" and φάσις, "stage"), is the stage of mitosis after the process of metaphase, when replicated chromosomes are split and the newly-copied chromosomes (daughter chromatids) are moved to opposite poles of the cell. Chromosomes also reach their overall maximum condensation in late anaphase, to help chromosome segregation and the re-formation of the nucleus.Anaphase starts when the anaphase promoting complex marks an inhibitory chaperone called securin for destruction by ubiquinylating it.
Telophase
Telophase (from the Greek τέλος (télos), "end" and φάσις (phásis), "stage") is the final stage in both meiosis and mitosis in a eukaryotic cell. During telophase, the effects of prophase and prometaphase (the nucleolus and nuclear membrane disintegrating) are reversed.
Anaphase
The stage of mitosis and meiosis in which the chromosomes move to opposite ends of the nuclear spindle.
Telophase
The final stage of mitosis or meiosis during which the chromosomes of daughter cells are grouped in new nuclei.
Anaphase
(cytology) The stage of mitosis and meiosis during which the chromosomes separate; the chromatid moving to opposite poles of the cell.
Telophase
(biology) The final stage of mitosis or meiosis during which the daughter chromosomes move towards opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
Anaphase
The stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle.
Telophase
The final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
Anaphase
The stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
Telophase
The final stage of mitosis
Common Curiosities
What signifies the beginning of telophase?
Telophase begins when the chromatids have reached the opposite poles.
Why is anaphase important?
It ensures each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.
How do spindle fibers function in anaphase?
Spindle fibers contract to pull chromatids apart.
What is the main event in telophase?
Chromosomes decondense and nuclear envelopes re-form.
How does anaphase contribute to genetic consistency?
It accurately separates chromatids to opposite poles.
What happens during anaphase?
Sister chromatids are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.
What marks the end of anaphase?
Chromatids have reached the opposite poles.
What cellular changes occur during telophase?
Nuclear membranes reform, and chromosomes decondense.
What restores the nuclear structure in telophase?
The reformation of the nuclear envelope.
What follows telophase in cell division?
Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm.
Do spindle fibers play a role in telophase?
They begin to disassemble as the cell prepares for cytokinesis.
Why is telophase crucial for cell division?
It prepares the cell for the final separation into two daughter cells.
Is anaphase a reversible process?
No, it is a one-way process critical for cell division.
What is the state of chromosomes in telophase?
They decondense back into chromatin.
How does the cell structure change in anaphase?
The cell elongates as chromatids are separated.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
