What changes occur to chromosomes during telophase?

During telophase, chromosomes undergo a key transition that involves elongation and the return to a less condensed chromatin state. This process is critical as it signifies the end of mitosis, where the sister chromatids have already been separated during anaphase. As the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, they begin to decondense, transitioning back to chromatin. This change is essential for enabling the proper functioning of the cell following division, as chromatin is crucial for DNA accessibility during transcription and replication.

In contrast, the other options describe events that occur at different stages of cell division, such as chromosome condensation or alignment, which are not characteristic of telophase. Therefore, the correct understanding of telophase emphasizes the return to chromatin as the chromosomes elongate and the process of cellular division comes to a close.