zygotene
/ˈzaɪɡəˌtin/
noun
- The second stage of the first prophase in meiosis, during which homologous chromosomes pair up.
- During zygotene, the chromosomes begin to align closely with their matching partners.
- The zygotene stage is critical for the proper separation of chromosomes later in meiosis.
- Biologists study zygotene to understand how genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes.