Definition
noun
The stage in meiosis II after anaphase II, and identified by the complete movement and separation of the chromosomes to the opposite ends of the cell
Supplement
Meiosis is a reproductive cell division since it gives rise to gametes. The resulting cells following meiosis contain half of the number of the chromosomes in the parent cell. That is because the parent cell undergoes two meiotic divisions called first meiotic division (meiosis I) and second meiotic division (meiosis II). Each of them has four major phases. These are prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Each of these phases is designated as I or II depending where it occurs, i.e. in meiosis I or in meiosis II.
Telophase II is the stage in meiosis II that follows after anaphase II. In anaphase II, the sister chromatids that were formerly joined at the centromere are separated from each other and moved away to opposite poles. At this point, the sister chromatids are sometimes referred to as sister chromosomes. The complete movement and separation of sister chromosomes mark the telophase II. This will then be followed by cytokinesis, wherein each of the two cells produced from meiosis I will give rise to two daughter cells, resulting in a total of four genetically dissimilar haploid cells. The chromosomes de-condense and lengthen. The spindle disassemble and nuclear envelopes reform.
See also:
- meiosis I
- telophase
- homologous chromosome
- cytokinesis
