diakinesis

[ dahy-uh-ki-nee-sis, -kahy- ]

/ ˌdaɪ ə kɪˈni sɪs, -kaɪ- /

noun Cell Biology.

the last stage in prophase, in which the nucleolus and nuclear envelope disappear, spindle fibers form, and the chromosomes shorten in preparation for anaphase.

Nearby words

diagonal process, diagonalize, diagram, diagrammatic, diagraph, diakinesis, dial, dial down, dial gauge, dial tone, dial train

Origin of diakinesis

Latinization of German Diakinese (1897); see dia-, -kinesis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diakinesis

Haploid (n) chromosome numbers were determined from cells in diakinesis, metaphase I, and metaphase II of meiosis.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca|William E. Duellman

British Dictionary definitions for diakinesis

diakinesis

/ (ˌdaɪəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-) /

noun

the final stage of the prophase of meiosis, during which homologous chromosomes start to separate after crossing over

Word Origin for diakinesis

C20: from dia- + Greek kinēsis movement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for diakinesis

diakinesis

[ dī′ə-kə-nē′sĭs, -kī- ]

n.

The final stage of the prophase in meiosis, characterized by shortening and thickening of the paired chromosomes, formation of the spindle fibers, disappearance of the nucleolus, and degeneration of the nuclear membrane.