diplotene

The late stage of prophase in meiosis in which the paired homologous chromosomes begin to repel each other and move apart, but are usually held together by chiasmata. The chiasmata are associated with breakage of two chromatids at corresponding points followed by refusion of the broken ends with exchange of segments between the chromatids; this is considered to be the cytologic basis for the crossing-over of genes. [diplo- + G. tainia, band]

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dip·lo·tene 'dip-lə-.tēn n a stage of meiotic prophase which follows the pachytene and during which the paired homologous chromosomes begin to separate and chiasmata become visible

diplotene adj

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n.

the fourth stage in the first prophase of meiosis, in which crossing over occurs between the paired chromatids of homologous chromosomes, which then begin to separate.

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dip·lo·tene (dipґlo-tēn) the fourth stage of prophase in meiosis I, during which the synaptonemal complex disintegrates and the homologous chromosomes separate (the sister chromatids remaining in association), held together only by chiasmata.