what are chiasmata quizlet
chiasma. pl. chiasmata [L., Gr.] chiasm; in genetics, the points at which members of a chromosome pair are in contact during the prophase of meiosis and because of which recombination, or crossing over, occurs on separation.See also chiasma formation. visible connection between homologous chromosomes during the first meiotic division in gametogenesis. Chiasmata appear as X-shaped configurations during the late prophase stage and provide the means by which homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. See also crossing over. chiasmatic, chiasmic, adj.