Synizesis (biology)

Synizesis refers to a phenomenon sometimes observed in one of the subphases of meiosis. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as a 'synizetic knot', and contrasted with the chromosome 'bouquet' more typically observed, is characterized by the localization of the meiotic chromosomes in a tight clump on one side of the nucleus. The term synizesis seems to have been coined by McClung in 1905.^[1]

The synizetic knot (Synizesis) was later found to be a technical artifact induced by the feature of strong acidic fixatives used during that time (e.g., Flemming's strong fixative) to precipitate the thread-like delicate chromosomes of the Leptotene stage of first meiotic prophase into a dark staining knot.^[2]^[3]

References

^ McClung, CE (1905). "The chromosome complex of orthopteran spermatocytes". The Biological Bulletin.
^ Belar, K (1928). "Chromosomenreduktion. Die cytologischen Grundlagen der Vererbung". Handbuch der Vererbungswissenschaft. 1: 168–201.
^ Scherthan, H (2001). "A bouquet makes ends meet". Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2: 623.

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[1] McClung, CE (1905). "The chromosome complex of orthopteran spermatocytes". The Biological Bulletin.

[2] Belar, K (1928). "Chromosomenreduktion. Die cytologischen Grundlagen der Vererbung". Handbuch der Vererbungswissenschaft. 1: 168–201.

[3] Scherthan, H (2001). "A bouquet makes ends meet". Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2: 623.

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References