When does cytokinesis begin in the cell cycle?

Cytokinesis begins in late anaphase as the final stage of cell division, following the separation of the duplicated chromosomes. During late anaphase, the mitotic spindle pulls the sister chromatids toward opposite poles of the cell, and the process of dividing the cytoplasm commences soon after. This is marked by the formation of a cleavage furrow in animal cells, or a cell plate in plant cells, which ultimately leads to the physical separation of the two daughter cells.

Understanding the timing of cytokinesis is crucial in the context of the entire cell cycle. Interphase is primarily focused on cell growth and DNA replication, while prophase and metaphase pertain to earlier stages of mitosis where chromosomes condense and align, respectively. Thus, it is during late anaphase that the stage is set for cytokinesis to occur as the cell prepares to conclude division.