Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

What happens during telophase of mitosis?

1. Chromosomes align at the cell's equator

2. Chromosomes become invisible

3. Chromosomes stretch out and nuclear envelopes reform

4. The cell splits into two daughter cells

The correct answer is: Chromosomes align at the cell's equator

During telophase of mitosis, the chromosomes, which were previously condensed and observable during earlier phases, begin to decondense and become less visible under the microscope. This unwinding marks a transition towards the next stage of the cell cycle. Additionally, the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes at opposite ends of the cell, creating distinct nuclei in what will eventually become two daughter cells. As part of this process, the chromosomes stretch out into a less compact form. Thus, the correct choice accurately describes the significant events occurring in telophase, which include the decondensation of chromosomes and the reformation of the nuclear envelope. The other options refer to events that occur in different phases of mitosis, such as the alignment of chromosomes at the cell's equator, which actually happens during metaphase, or the physical splitting of the cell, which occurs in cytokinesis after telophase.