leptotene

leptotene definition - medical

lep·to·tene (lĕpˈtə-tēnˌ)

noun
The early stage of prophase in meiosis in which the replicated chromosomes contract and become visible as long filaments well separated from one another.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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