synapsis

[ si-nap-sis ]

noun

, plural syn·ap·ses [si-, nap, -seez].

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

synapsis

/ sɪˈnæpsɪs /

noun

1. cytology the association in pairs of homologous chromosomes at the start of meiosis
2. another word for synapse

Other Words From

• syn·ap·tic [si-, nap, -tik], syn·apti·cal adjective
• syn·apti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of synapsis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of synapsis¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek sunapsis junction, from sunaptein to join together, from syn- + haptein to connect

Example Sentences

The exact molecular details of how signal processing in the mossy fiber synapses works are still unknown.

From Science Daily

"Cannabis appears to disrupt the brain's natural process of refining and pruning synapses, which is essential for healthy brain development."

From Science Daily

In neuromorphic computing, electronic devices imitate neurons and synapses, and are interconnected in a way that resembles the electrical network of the brain.

From BBC

The brain's ability to learn comes from "plasticity," in which neurons constantly edit and remodel the tiny connections called synapses that they make with other neurons to form circuits.

From Science Daily

Research in neuroplasticity has mostly focused on changes that occur at synapses -- where neurons meet and communicate with each other.

From Science Daily