Meaning & use
synapsis
Last updated
The close pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, allowing genetic material to be exchanged.
See it in a sentence
During synapsis, matching chromosomes line up so segments of DNA can cross over.
Errors during synapsis can lead to chromosomal abnormalities in offspring.
A note on using this word
Don't confuse "synapsis" (chromosome pairing in cell division) with "synapse" (the junction between two nerve cells) -- the words look similar but describe completely different biological processes.
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