Synapsis

Synapsis (also called syndesis) is the pairing of two homologous chromosomes tha
t occurs during meiosis. It allows matching-up of homologous pairs prior to thei
r segregation, and possible chromosomal crossover between them. Synapsis takes p
lace during prophase I of meiosis. When homologous chromosomes synapse, their en
ds are first attached to the nuclear envelope. These end-membrane complexes then
migrate, assisted by the extranuclear cytoskeleton, until matching ends have be
en paired. Then the intervening regions of the chromosome are brought together,
and may be connected by a protein-RNA complex called the synaptonemal complex.[1
] Autosomes undergo synapsis during meiosis, and are held togther by a protein c
omplex along the whole length of the chromosomes called the synaptomeal complex.
Sex chromosomes also undergo Synapsis, however the synaptomeal protein complex
that holds the homologous chromosomes together is only present at one end of eac
h sex Chromosome. [2]
This is not to be confused with mitosis. Mitosis also has prophase, but does not
ordinarily do pairing of two homologous chromosomes.[3]
When the non-sister chromatids intertwine, segments of chromatids with similar s
equence may break apart and be exchanged in a process known as genetic recombina
tion or "crossing-over". This exchange produces a chiasma, a region that is shap
ed like an X, where the two chromosomes are physically joined. At least one chia
sma per chromosome often appears to be necessary to stabilise bivalents along th
e metaphase plate during separation. The crossover of genetic material also prov
ides a possible defence against 'chromosome killer' mechanisms, by removing the
distinction between 'self' and 'non-self' through which such a mechanism could o
perate. A further consequence of recombinant synapsis is to increase genetic var
iability within the offspring. Repeated recombination also has the general effec
t of allowing genes to move independently of each other through the generations,
allowing for the independent concentration of beneficial genes and the purging
of the detrimental.
Following synapsis, a type of recombination referred to as synthesis dependent s
trand annealing (SDSA) occurs frequently. SDSA recombination involves informatio
n exchange between paired non-sister homologous chromatids, but not physical exc
hange. SDSA recombination does not cause crossing-over. Both the non-crossover a
nd crossover types of recombination function as processes for repairing DNA dama
ge, particularly double-strand breaks (see Genetic recombination).
The central function of synapsis is therefore the identification of homologues b
y pairing, an essential step for a successful meiosis. The processes of DNA repa
ir and chiasma formation that take place following synapsis have consequences at
many levels, from cellular survival through to impacts upon evolution itself.Sy
napsis (also called syndesis) is the pairing of two homologous chromosomes that
occurs during meiosis. It allows matching-up of homologous pairs prior to their
segregation, and possible chromosomal crossover between them. Synapsis takes pla
ce during prophase I of meiosis. When homologous chromosomes synapse, their ends
are first attached to the nuclear envelope. These end-membrane complexes then m
igrate, assisted by the extranuclear cytoskeleton, until matching ends have been
paired. Then the intervening regions of the chromosome are brought together, an
d may be connected by a protein-RNA complex called the synaptonemal complex.[1]
Autosomes undergo synapsis during meiosis, and are held togther by a protein com
plex along the whole length of the chromosomes called the synaptomeal complex. S
ex chromosomes also undergo Synapsis, however the synaptomeal protein complex th
at holds the homologous chromosomes together is only present at one end of each
sex Chromosome. [2]
This is not to be confused with mitosis. Mitosis also has prophase, but does not
ordinarily do pairing of two homologous chromosomes.[3]

When the non-sister chromatids intertwine, segments of chromatids with similar s

equence may break apart and be exchanged in a process known as genetic recombina
tion or "crossing-over". This exchange produces a chiasma, a region that is shap
ed like an X, where the two chromosomes are physically joined. At least one chia
sma per chromosome often appears to be necessary to stabilise bivalents along th
e metaphase plate during separation. The crossover of genetic material also prov
ides a possible defence against 'chromosome killer' mechanisms, by removing the
distinction between 'self' and 'non-self' through which such a mechanism could o
perate. A further consequence of recombinant synapsis is to increase genetic var
iability within the offspring. Repeated recombination also has the general effec
t of allowing genes to move independently of each other through the generations,
allowing for the independent concentration of beneficial genes and the purging
of the detrimental.
Following synapsis, a type of recombination referred to as synthesis dependent s
trand annealing (SDSA) occurs frequently. SDSA recombination involves informatio
n exchange between paired non-sister homologous chromatids, but not physical exc
hange. SDSA recombination does not cause crossing-over. Both the non-crossover a
nd crossover types of recombination function as processes for repairing DNA dama
ge, particularly double-strand breaks (see Genetic recombination).
The central function of synapsis is therefore the identification of homologues b
y pairing, an essential step for a successful meiosis. The processes of DNA repa
ir and chiasma formation that take place following synapsis have consequences at
many levels, from cellular survival through to impacts upon evolution itself.Sy
napsis (also called syndesis) is the pairing of two homologous chromosomes that
occurs during meiosis. It allows matching-up of homologous pairs prior to their
segregation, and possible chromosomal crossover between them. Synapsis takes pla
ce during prophase I of meiosis. When homologous chromosomes synapse, their ends
are first attached to the nuclear envelope. These end-membrane complexes then m
igrate, assisted by the extranuclear cytoskeleton, until matching ends have been
paired. Then the intervening regions of the chromosome are brought together, an
d may be connected by a protein-RNA complex called the synaptonemal complex.[1]
Autosomes undergo synapsis during meiosis, and are held togther by a protein com
plex along the whole length of the chromosomes called the synaptomeal complex. S
ex chromosomes also undergo Synapsis, however the synaptomeal protein complex th
at holds the homologous chromosomes together is only present at one end of each
sex Chromosome. [2]
This is not to be confused with mitosis. Mitosis also has prophase, but does not
ordinarily do pairing of two homologous chromosomes.[3]
When the non-sister chromatids intertwine, segments of chromatids with similar s
equence may break apart and be exchanged in a process known as genetic recombina
tion or "crossing-over". This exchange produces a chiasma, a region that is shap
ed like an X, where the two chromosomes are physically joined. At least one chia
sma per chromosome often appears to be necessary to stabilise bivalents along th
e metaphase plate during separation. The crossover of genetic material also prov
ides a possible defence against 'chromosome killer' mechanisms, by removing the
distinction between 'self' and 'non-self' through which such a mechanism could o
perate. A further consequence of recombinant synapsis is to increase genetic var
iability within the offspring. Repeated recombination also has the general effec
t of allowing genes to move independently of each other through the generations,
allowing for the independent concentration of beneficial genes and the purging
of the detrimental.
Following synapsis, a type of recombination referred to as synthesis dependent s
trand annealing (SDSA) occurs frequently. SDSA recombination involves informatio
n exchange between paired non-sister homologous chromatids, but not physical exc
hange. SDSA recombination does not cause crossing-over. Both the non-crossover a

nd crossover types of recombination function as processes for repairing DNA dama

ge, particularly double-strand breaks (see Genetic recombination).
The central function of synapsis is therefore the identification of homologues b
y pairing, an essential step for a successful meiosis. The processes of DNA repa
ir and chiasma formation that take place following synapsis have consequences at
many levels, from cellular survival through to impacts upon evolution itself.Sy
napsis (also called syndesis) is the pairing of two homologous chromosomes that
occurs during meiosis. It allows matching-up of homologous pairs prior to their
segregation, and possible chromosomal crossover between them. Synapsis takes pla
ce during prophase I of meiosis. When homologous chromosomes synapse, their ends
are first attached to the nuclear envelope. These end-membrane complexes then m
igrate, assisted by the extranuclear cytoskeleton, until matching ends have been
paired. Then the intervening regions of the chromosome are brought together, an
d may be connected by a protein-RNA complex called the synaptonemal complex.[1]
Autosomes undergo synapsis during meiosis, and are held togther by a protein com
plex along the whole length of the chromosomes called the synaptomeal complex. S
ex chromosomes also undergo Synapsis, however the synaptomeal protein complex th
at holds the homologous chromosomes together is only present at one end of each
sex Chromosome. [2]
This is not to be confused with mitosis. Mitosis also has prophase, but does not
ordinarily do pairing of two homologous chromosomes.[3]
When the non-sister chromatids intertwine, segments of chromatids with similar s
equence may break apart and be exchanged in a process known as genetic recombina
tion or "crossing-over". This exchange produces a chiasma, a region that is shap
ed like an X, where the two chromosomes are physically joined. At least one chia
sma per chromosome often appears to be necessary to stabilise bivalents along th
e metaphase plate during separation. The crossover of genetic material also prov
ides a possible defence against 'chromosome killer' mechanisms, by removing the
distinction between 'self' and 'non-self' through which such a mechanism could o
perate. A further consequence of recombinant synapsis is to increase genetic var
iability within the offspring. Repeated recombination also has the general effec
t of allowing genes to move independently of each other through the generations,
allowing for the independent concentration of beneficial genes and the purging
of the detrimental.
Following synapsis, a type of recombination referred to as synthesis dependent s
trand annealing (SDSA) occurs frequently. SDSA recombination involves informatio
n exchange between paired non-sister homologous chromatids, but not physical exc
hange. SDSA recombination does not cause crossing-over. Both the non-crossover a
nd crossover types of recombination function as processes for repairing DNA dama
ge, particularly double-strand breaks (see Genetic recombination).
The central function of synapsis is therefore the identification of homologues b
y pairing, an essential step for a successful meiosis. The processes of DNA repa
ir and chiasma formation that take place following synapsis have consequences at
many levels, from cellular survival through to impacts upon evolution itself.
Synapsis