Light micrograph of a single mammalian cell in the telophase stage of mitosis (cell division). Mitosis has 2 main functions; the equal division of chromosomes from the parent cell between the potential daughter cells, and the cleavage of the cytoplasm of the parent cell. Telophase represents the final stages in the process of cell division. The 2 sets of chromosomes (stained blue) have reached the opposite poles of the parent cell. With the genetic material of the potential daughter cells in position, the remainder of each new cell is ready to reform through cytoplasmic cleavage of the parent cell.