What happens to the cell during telophase?

During telophase, the cell reaches a critical stage in the mitotic process where the chromosomes, which were previously aligned and condensed during metaphase, start to de-condense back into their more relaxed, thread-like form. This transition is essential for the proper functioning of the cell after division.

The disappearance of spindle fibers is a key event in telophase. After the chromosomes have been pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell during anaphase, the spindle apparatus, which is responsible for chromosome movement, is no longer needed. The breakdown of these fibers signifies the end of the cell's division process, leading towards the formation of two distinct nuclei.

This re-establishment of the nuclear envelope around each set of chromosomes completes the process of nuclear division and sets the stage for cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides to form two separate cells. Hence, recognizing the importance of the spindle fibers disappearing is paramount in understanding what occurs during telophase.