During which part of cell division does cytokinesis occur?

Cytokinesis occurs at the end of mitosis, which is the final stage of cell division where the cytoplasmic contents of a parent cell are divided into two daughter cells. This process typically follows the stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase), culminating in the physical separation of the two nuclei formed during mitosis.

During this time, a contractile ring forms and pinches the cell membrane, ultimately leading to the formation of two distinct cells, each containing a complete set of chromosomes.

Interphase, prophase, and the time before telophase do not involve the actual division of the cytoplasm. Interphase refers to the period of the cell cycle when the cell is preparing for division, prophase is when chromatin condenses into chromosomes and the mitotic spindle begins to form, and before telophase, the cell is still in the process of separating chromosomes rather than dividing its cytoplasm. Thus, cytokinesis is specifically associated with the completion of mitosis, affirming that it occurs at the end of this process.