Difference Between Anaphase and Telophase

Anaphase and telophase are the two endmost events of cell division. Anaphase follows telophase. The main difference between anaphase and telophase is that the chromosomes are pulled to the opposite poles of the cell during anaphase whereas nuclear envelopes are formed surrounding the two daughter nuclei during telophase. Prophase and metaphase are the foremost events of cell division. Anaphase and telophase are quite different in mitosis and meiosis.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Anaphase
     – Definition, Process, Importance
2. What is Telophase
     – Definition, Process, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Anaphase and Telophase
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Anaphase and Telophase
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Anaphase, Daughter Chromosomes, Daughter Nuclei, Meiosis, Mitosis, Telophase

What is Anaphase

Anaphase refers to the third stage of cell division, which occurs between metaphase and telophase. It occurs in both mitosis and meiosis. During metaphase, the chromosomes are arranged into the equatorial plate of the cell. Spindle fibers get attached to each centromere. In mitosis, individual chromosomes are arranged in the equatorial plate. In the metaphase 1 of meiosis 1, homologous chromosomes are arranged there while in the metaphase 2 of meiosis 2, individual chromosomes are arranged in the equatorial plate.

Figure 1: Anaphase

During anaphase of mitosis, sister chromatids move away from the equatorial plate to the opposite poles of the cell. The individual chromosomes and sister chromatids separate in anaphase 1 and anaphase 2, respectively. Chromosomes or sister chromatids separate due to the pulling tension generated by the spindle apparatus. By further contractions of the spindle tubules, the daughter chromosomes are pulled towards the opposite poles.

What is Telophase

Telophase refers to the fourth stage of cell division, which follows anaphase. As daughter chromosomes are at the opposite poles of the cell at the end of the anaphase, the nuclear envelopes form surrounding the daughter chromosomes during telophase.

Figure 2: Telophase
Chromosomes (blue), Spindle Apparatus (green), Kinetochore Proteins (pink)

The contracted microtubules are further loosened, increasing the length of the cell. The lengthening of the cell begins in the late anaphase. Since the daughter chromosomes are at the opposite poles, the nuclear envelopes reform surrounding them. Parent cell’s membrane vesicles that disintegrated early are used for this purpose. Hence, at the end of the telophase, two genetically identical daughter cells can be identified at each pole of the cell. Each daughter nucleus may contain condensed chromosomes. Telophase follows cytokinesis where the cytoplasmic division occurs to separate the two daughter cells.

Similarities Between Anaphase and Telophase

• Anaphase and telophase are the endmost evens of cell division.
• Both anaphase and telophase occur in mitosis and meiosis.
• Separation of chromosomes and formation of daughter nuclei occur during anaphase and telophase.

Difference Between Anaphase and Telophase

Definition

Anaphase: Anaphase refers to the third stage of cell division, which occurs between metaphase and telophase.

Telophase: Telophase refers to the fourth stage of cell division, which follows the anaphase.

Consequence

Anaphase: Anaphase follows the metaphase.

Telophase: Telophase follows the anaphase.

Event

Anaphase: Homologous chromosomes or individual chromosomes are pulled to the opposite poles during anaphase.

Telophase: Nuclear envelopes are formed surrounding the two daughter nuclei during telophase.

Result

Anaphase: Anaphase results in daughter chromosomes, which can be either individual chromosomes as in meiosis 1 or sister chromatids as in mitosis and meiosis 2.

Telophase: Telophase results in two daughter nuclei at the opposite poles of the cell.

Conclusion

Anaphase and telophase are the endmost stages of cell division. Anaphase is followed by the telophase. During anaphase, homologous chromosomes or individual chromosomes are separated, and the daughter chromosomes are pulled to the opposite poles of the cell. During telophase, nuclear envelope is formed surrounding the two daughter nuclei. The main difference between anaphase and telophase is the type of events occur during each stage.

Reference:

1.“Anaphase.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, Available here.
2.“Telophase – Definition and Stages in Mitosis and Meiosis.” Biology Dictionary, 29 Apr. 2017, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “TelophaseIF” By Roy van Heesbeen – Roy (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Anaphase” By Kelvinsong – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia