sin - sish - ee - um
Def. A network of cells that are connected by low-resistance intercellular pathways.
A syncitium is often characterized by a macroscopic collection of
cytoplasm with many
nuclei interspersed inside it.
Slime molds spend most of their life cycle in a syncitial state.
Drosophila (
fruit fly)
embryoes are also syncitial in the early stages of development. This allows free diffusion of
morphogens and
mRNAs across the embryo to help determine body patterning and
cell fate.