synapsis

American  

[si-nap-sis] / sɪˈnæp sɪs /

noun

plural

synapses

1. Also called syndesis.  Cell Biology. the pairing of homologous chromosomes, one from each parent, during early meiosis.

2. Physiology. synapse.

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synapsis British  

/ sɪˈnæpsɪs /

noun

1. cytology the association in pairs of homologous chromosomes at the start of meiosis

2. another word for synapse

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Other Word Forms

• synaptic adjective
• synaptical adjective
• synaptically adverb

Etymology

Origin of synapsis

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek sýnapsis “junction,” equivalent to synap- (stem of synáptein “to make contact,” equivalent to syn- syn- + (h)áptein “to touch”) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

This photocurrent mimics the responses transmitted by synapsis in the human brain, enabling the device to interpret and process biological information received from optical sensors.

From Science Daily

The immune cells gobble up—or, more formally, phagocytose—unneeded synapses and debris, and they look for signs of injury or invasion by pathogens.

From Scientific American

Check out our latest video to see what we learned and experience the sounds of synapses.

From The Verge

In the absence of strong contrary evidence from the cognitive sciences, I am quite convinced that my neurons and synapses do not undergo any meaningful changes as the days grow longer.

From New York Times

The show “took my appreciation of our brains to a whole new level,” he added, pointing to his skull and paying tribute to the “three pounds of synapses” up there.

From New York Times