pachytene

noun Cell Biology.

1. the third stage of prophase in meiosis, during which each chromosome pair separates into sister chromatids with some breakage and crossing over of genes.

noun

1. the third stage of the prophase of meiosis during which the chromosomes become shorter and thicker and divide into chromatids

n.

1. The third stage of the prophase of meiosis during which the homologous chromosomes become short and thick and divide into four distinct chromatids.