Question

What happens during synapsis in meiosis?

Answer 1

Synapsis:

1. During the zygotene stage of the prophase I (meiosis I) chromosomes starts pairing together, this process is referred as synapsis.
2. Synapsis is followed by the development of the synaptonemal complex.
3. The synapsed pair of homologous chromosomes are known as bivalent.
4. This enables the matching of homologous pairs before they segregate and a probable chromosomal crossover occurs between them.
5. At the time of synapsis of homologous chromosomes, its ends attach first to the nuclear envelope.
6. Synapsis is then followed by crossing over that occurs during the pachytene stage of prophase I of meiosis leading to the genetic recombination.