Question

Which phase of mitosis is essentially the reverse of prophase in terms of nuclear changes?
a. S – phase
b. Anaphase
c. Telophase
d. Interphase

Answer 1

Mitosis is a process in which a parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells. These cells are identical to each other as well as to the parent cell. Mitosis is called the equational division.

Complete answer:
Mitosis is a process which involves a series of important changes in the nucleus as well as in the cytoplasm. There are two major events that occur during mitosis:
- Karyokinesis: It is a process in which a parent nucleus divides into two daughter nuclei. Karyokinesis is divided into four stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase.
- Cytokinesis: It is a process in which division of cytoplasm takes place. This process is the end stage of cell division. The cytokinesis occurs differently in animal cells and plant cells.

Telophase stage of mitosis is essentially the reverse of prophase in terms of nuclear changes. In the prophase stage the condensation of chromatin material takes place and during condensation, the DNA strands untangled to form compact mitotic chromosome and ready for coming towards the centre and in the Telophase stage the chromosomes (sister chromatids) reach their respective poles and mitotic spindle disappears. Nucleoplasm surrounds the area of chromatin and the spindle is converted into a sol state and disappears, in this way two daughter nuclei are formed at the poles of the spindle. Hence Telophase is the reverse of prophase stage.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Mitosis was first discovered by Strasburger in plant cells and in animal cells, it is discovered by Walter flemming. Colchicine inhibits mitosis by inhibiting formation of microtubules.