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Correct Answer: telophase.
the correct answer to the question, "the last step in mitosis is called which of the following?" is telophase. mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. it is essential for growth, repair, and reproduction in multicellular organisms. mitosis consists of several distinct stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
during prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus forms. in metaphase, the chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, a plane that is equidistant between the spindle's two poles. anaphase follows, during which the chromatids (now considered individual chromosomes) are pulled apart and move to opposite poles of the cell.
telophase, the final stage of mitosis, begins once the chromosomal movement stops. during this phase, the chromosomes at each pole of the cell start to decondense, returning to their less compact form. a new nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes, effectively creating two separate nuclei within the single cell. this reformation of the nuclear envelope marks the end of mitosis.
following telophase is cytokinesis, which, although often associated with mitosis, is a separate process. cytokinesis involves the division of the cytoplasm and the physical separation of the cell into two new daughter cells. it usually begins in the late stages of mitosis, during anaphase or telophase, but it is not considered a part of mitosis itself. instead, cytokinesis is the final step in the overall process of cell division.
thus, the last step of mitosis is telophase, not cytokinesis. it is important to distinguish between these two processes when studying cell division. understanding the distinct phases of mitosis is crucial for comprehending how cells reproduce and maintain genetic consistency across generations.
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