|
| chi·as·ma [ kī ázmə ] (plural chi·as·mas or chi·as·ma·ta [ kī ázmətə ]) |
noun |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. crossing over of body parts: a crossing over of biological tissue, e.g. the intersection of the optic nerves
|
2. crossing point of chromosome parts: the point at which two chromatids join during the fusion and exchange of genetic material crossing over in cell division
|
| [Mid-19th century. Via modern Latin< Greek khiasma "crosspiece" < khiazein "mark with an X" < khi "the letter chi"] |
|
  chi·as·mal adjective |
| chi·as·mic adjective |
|
