diakinesis

[ dahy-uh-ki-nee-sis, -kahy- ]
/ ˌdaɪ ə kɪˈni sɪs, -kaɪ- /

noun Cell Biology.

the last stage in prophase, in which the nucleolus and nuclear envelope disappear, spindle fibers form, and the chromosomes shorten in preparation for anaphase.

Origin of diakinesis

Latinization of German Diakinese (1897); see dia-, -kinesis

Example sentences from the Web for diakinesis

British Dictionary definitions for diakinesis

diakinesis
/ (ˌdaɪəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-) /

noun

the final stage of the prophase of meiosis, during which homologous chromosomes start to separate after crossing over

Word Origin for diakinesis

C20: from dia- + Greek kinēsis movement

Medical definitions for diakinesis

diakinesis
[ dī′ə-kə-nēsĭs, -kī- ]

n.

The final stage of the prophase in meiosis, characterized by shortening and thickening of the paired chromosomes, formation of the spindle fibers, disappearance of the nucleolus, and degeneration of the nuclear membrane.