Telophase and Cytokinesis culminate in which outcome?

• A. The nuclear envelope reforms and chromosomes de-condense
• B. Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate
• C. The spindle disassembles after chromosomes separate
• D. Daughter cells are formed that are genetically identical to the parent cell

Answer: (D)

Telophase and cytokinesis finalize cell division by producing two genetically identical daughter cells. In telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles, de-condense, and the nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes. Cytokinesis then divides the cytoplasm, resulting in two separate cells. Because DNA was replicated before mitosis and the chromatids are evenly distributed, each daughter cell ends up with the same genetic material as the parent cell. The other events mentioned occur earlier in the process: lining up at the metaphase plate happens during metaphase, and spindle disassembly occurs as division wraps up, but the defining outcome is the formation of two identical daughter cells.