Why Is Telophase the Shortest Phase in Mitosis?
The shortest phase in mitosis is anaphase. Telophase is the next shortest phase. Anaphase takes approximately 0.8 percent of the cell cycle to complete. Telophase is the next shortest; this phase takes approximately 3 percent of the cell cycle to complete
There are four phases that occur in mitosis. The first phase of mitosis is prophase. Cells that are in prophase have an enlarged nucleus and the cell’s chromosomes are in short, jumbled strands. At this time the nucleolus of the cell is no longer visible. Prophase takes up approximately 14 percent of the cell cycle.
Metaphase comes after prophase. During metaphase the chromosomes inside the cell line up along its center. Metaphase is one of the quickest phases, taking approximately 4 percent of the time that is required to complete the cell cycle. Anaphase is the third phase in the cell cycle. During anaphase, the identical parts of the chromosome are pulled apart by the spindle fibers and moved to opposite ends of the cell.
Telophase is the last phase of the cell cycle. During this phase a new nuclear membrane begins to form around the chromosomes that have been moved to the opposite ends of the cell. After this occurs cytokinesis begins. During cytokinesis the cytoplasm of the cell divides and forms two separate cells.
