What is the Difference Between Telophase and Cytokinesis

The main difference between telophase and cytokinesis is that telophase is the final step of karyokinesis, which forms two daughter nuclei. Meanwhile, cytokinesis is the final step of cell division, equally distributing cytoplasm between the two daughter nuclei. During telophase, daughter nuclear membranes form and chromosomes decondense while during cytokinesis, a cleavage furrow forms in animal cells and a cell plate forms in plant cells, dividing the mother cell into two.  

Telophase and cytokinesis are two steps of cell division. Generally, they occur in both mitosis and meiosis. 

Key Areas Covered 

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

Key Terms 

Cell Division, Cell Plate, Cleavage Furrow, Cytokinesis, Karyokinesis, Telophase

What is Telophase 

Telophase is the fourth step of nuclear division, following anaphase. Therefore, it is the final step of karyokinesis. Generally, in mitosis, anaphase pulls apart daughter chromosomes into the opposite poles of the cell with respect to the equatorial plate. It is due to the tension generated by the spindle apparatus. Therefore, at the beginning of the telophase, daughter chromosomes are at the opposite poles. During telophase, nuclear membranes form, surrounding the daughter chromosomes, which in turn form two daughter nuclei. Here, the daughter chromosomes undergo decondensation to form chromatin.

Figure 1: Telophase

Furthermore, in meiosis, there are two types of telophase: telophase I and telophase II. Basically, telophase I occurs in meiosis I, which is the first part of meiosis. In this phase, the nuclear membrane formation is responsible for surrounding the daughter chromosomes at opposite poles. In comparison, telophase II occurs during the second part of meiosis, which is meiosis II. Here, the formation of nuclear membranes surrounds the separated sister chromatids into two opposite poles. 

What is Cytokinesis 

Cytokinesis is the final step of cell division, and it is completed after the completion of nuclear division. Typically, at the end of the nuclear division, two daughter nuclei occur at the opposite poles of the cell. Therefore, cytokinesis is responsible for the division of the cytoplasm of the mother cell between these two daughter nuclei. Also, this process of cytoplasmic division occurs in an equal manner. Furthermore, cytokinesis begins at the beginning of the cell division, although it completes at the end of the karyokinesis.

Figure 2: Cytokinesis

Moreover, cytokinesis in animal cells differs from that of the plant cells. Basically, in plant cells, a cell wall has to form to separate the two daughter cells. Therefore, the formation of a new cell wall begins in the middle of the mother cell in the form of a cell plate with the aid of microtubules and vesicles. However, in animal cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cleavage furrow. It starts with a “pinching inward” from the top and the bottom of the cell, with one daughter nucleus on each side. And, this pinching results in the formation of a protein structure called a contractile ring. 

Similarities Between Telophase and Cytokinesis  

• Telophase and cytokinesis are two steps of cell division.  
• They occur in both mitosis and meiosis.  
• Moreover, they are responsible for dividing different entities of the cell into two.  
• Therefore,  the main function of these steps is to produce daughter cells from a  mother cell. 

Difference Between Telophase and Cytokinesis 

Definition 

Telophase refers to the final step of nuclear division, which follows anaphase, in which two daughter nuclei are formed through the formation of nuclear membranes. Meanwhile, cytokinesis refers to the cytoplasmic division of the cell either at the end of the mitosis or meiosis, separating two daughter cells. 

Following 

While telophase follows anaphase, cytokinesis is completed after telophase. 

Significance 

Moreover, telophase is the final step of karyokinesis, while cytokinesis is the final step of cell division.  

Process 

During telophase, two daughter nuclear membranes are formed, forming chromatin, while during cytokinesis, a cleavage furrow forms in animal cells and a cell plate forms in plant cells. 

Importance 

Furthermore, telophase is responsible for the formation of two daughter nuclei. Meanwhile, cytokinesis is responsible for dividing the cytoplasm of the mother cell into two, surrounding the two daughter nuclei. 

Conclusion 

Telophase is the final step of karyokinesis responsible for the nuclear division. Generally, telophase follows anaphase and at the beginning, chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell. Therefore, it allows the formation of daughter nuclear membranes, surrounding the daughter chromosomes. Moreover, chromosomes decondense into chromatin during telophase. On the other hand, cytokinesis is the final step of cell division, and it is responsible for dividing the cytoplasm of the cell, forming two daughter cells. Furthermore, in animal cells, cytokinesis occurs through the formation of a cleavage furrow while in plant cells, it occurs through the formation of the cell plate. Therefore, the main difference between telophase and cytokinesis is their occurrence, process, and importance. 

References:

1. O’Connor, Clare. “Mitosis and Cell Division.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Mitotic Telophase” By MITOSIS_cells_secuence.svg: LadyofHatsderivative work: Matt (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Figure 10 02 04” By CNX OpenStax (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia