# leptonema

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The stage during meiosis Prophase 1 where the chromosomes condense after S-phase and interphase, resulting in the recombination of haploid chromosome pairs with sister chromatids held by a single non-dividing centromeres, and followed by the zygotene stage.

## Etymology
From lepto- (“thin”) + -nema (“filiform structure”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/leptonema