Synapsis is the pairing of chromosomes with identical gene sequences during meiosis, allowing for the exchange of DNA information between parental chromosomes. This process occurs in humans, animals, and some plants and results in new chromosomal arrangements with both dominant and recessive genes. Synapse also refers to the communication between neurons in the brain, but it is a different process from synapsis in cell division.
In terms of science and human cell division, synapsis is the pairing of chromosomes with identical gene sequences. Every cell in the human body contains sets of chromosomes. One set of chromosomes is provided by the mother, while the other is provided by the father. In order for the parental chromosomes to pair up and create new cells, they must first find similar or homologous gene sequences and attach. While these genes control the same trait, they often have different alleles or DNA sequences.
The process of association of homologous chromosomes or synapses occurs during prophase 1 of meiosis, a very early stage of cell division. During meiosis, two homologous chromosomes pair up, attaching each other at their ends before crossing over. When these chromosomes pair up, they exchange information, resulting in a new cell with combined gene sequencing from both the mother and father. The process of synapsis allows chromosomes that share gene sequences to find each other and attach to exchange DNA.
Synapsis occurs only during meiosis. At this time, chromosomal information crosses over, creating completely new chromosomal arrangements with both dominant and recessive genes from both parents. Meiosis produces haploid “daughter cells” with different chromosome arrangements than the original parent cell. In mitosis, on the other hand, there is no crossing of DNA information. Instead, diploid cells replicate identical “daughter cells” that look and behave exactly like their parent cells.
Human cells aren’t the only cells to experience synapsis; animal cells and many plants follow similar cell division patterns and processes. Chromosome synapse occurs during cell division for any organism that does not involve asexual reproduction. The pairing process of homologous chromosomes, in humans and animals, results in a majority of non-sex chromosome pairs, known as autosomes, and one sex chromosome pair, known to determine the sex of the organism. Such processes occur in humans, animals, and some plants that require both a male and a female to propagate.
The synapse concept applies to more areas than just cell division. Early biology students can easily find themselves confused between synapse and synapse, especially where the brain is concerned. Brain synapse, a commonly misused term, actually refers to the synapse. In the brain, synaptic terminals allow neurons in various cells to communicate information along a neural pathway. Although the terms synapse and synapse share similarities, they are very different processes in relation to brain activity and cell division.
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