What major event follows telophase in mitosis?

Cytokinesis is the process that follows telophase in mitosis. During telophase, the chromosomes begin to de-condense back into chromatin, and the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei. This is an essential step, but it does not result in the complete separation of the two daughter cells.

Cytokinesis occurs directly after telophase and is the process where the cytoplasm of a parental cell divides into two daughter cells. It involves the constriction of the cell membrane in animal cells (known as cleavage furrow formation), or the formation of a cell plate in plant cells. This ensures that each daughter cell ends up with its own nucleus and sufficient cytoplasmic contents, thus completing the cell division process initiated by mitosis.

Understanding this sequence is crucial because it underscores the difference between the nuclear division that occurs during mitosis and the cytoplasmic division that occurs during cytokinesis.