leptonema


lep·to·tene

(lep'tō-tēn), Early stage of prophase in meiosis in which the chromosomes contract and become visible as long filaments well separated from each other. Synonym(s): leptonema [lepto- + G. tainia, band, tape]

leptonema

(lep?to-ne'ma) [? + nema, thread] The early stage of prophase in meiosis. At this stage the chromatin coils into visible filaments. See: cell division

leptonema

the chromosome thread that appears at the LEPTOTENE stage of meiosis.