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by Drinking Dano on June 10th, 2004

Drinking Dano

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What is the difference between identical and fraternal twins?

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Answers. 13 helpful answers below.

  • by Astaroth on June 11th, 2004

    Astaroth

    Fraternal twins are the result of the fertilization of two ova by two sperm, so they will develop in the same mother at the same time. They are really like two regular brothers, but they are born together. They share the same genetic charge as any other siblings.

    On the contrary, Identical twins are the result of one ova fertilized by one sperm. The egg divides, creating two people with the exact same genetic charge, they are physically-wise the same person. Of course they will develop differently psicology-wise.

    This is why fraternal twins can be of different gender, while identical twins are always the same gender. Fraternal twins can be alike, but not necessarily (in fact they are sometimes very different), but identical twins will look exactly the same.

    Physical differences can be developed in time between identical twins, for instance if one of them plays lots of basketball and the other is lazy, one can grow taller than the other.

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  • by herecomesred2 on April 21st, 2009

    herecomesred2

    Identical twins occur when a fertilizes egg divides in two and two identical babies develop. Fraternal twins occur when two eggs are fertilized by two different sperm cells and develop into two completely different children. Fraternals can be different sexes, where identical twins have similar characteristics and appearances.

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  • by VS Angel aka Mrs. Stealth Intelligence on November 14th, 2008

    VS Angel aka Mrs. Stealth Intelligence

    Identical twins = 1 egg.
    Fraternal = 2 eggs.

    My sis married an identical twin.
    :D

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  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a twin:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit. stupid cow. my boyfriends always checking her out. pretending he thinks its me,

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  • by woody21 on April 21st, 2009

    woody21

    fraternal twins do not look the same like a male female or just twins but do not look alike my step brothers are identical mirror twins they look just alike but one is right handed and one is left handed and ect but if u have ever seen little people big world the little dude thats a midget is a fraternal twin to the older one

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  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a twin:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit. stupid cow. my boyfriends always checking her out. pretending he thinks its me,

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  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a twin:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit. stupid cow. my boyfriends always checking her out. pretending he thinks its me,

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  • by shrinkess on December 3rd, 2008

    shrinkess

    Identicals come from one egg that splits into two babies; fraternals come from two eggs released and fertilized at the same time.

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  • by iwnit on December 3rd, 2008

    iwnit

    1) "Dizygotic twins (commonly known as fraternal twins, but also referred to as non-identical twins or biovular twins) usually occur when two fertilized eggs are implanted in the uterine wall at the same time. When two eggs are independently fertilized by two different sperm cells, DZ twins result. The two eggs, or ova, form two zygotes, hence the terms dizygotic and biovular.
    Dizygotic twins, like any other siblings, have an extremely small chance of having the exact same chromosome profile. Like any other siblings, DZ twins may look similar, particularly given that they are the same age. However, DZ twins may also look very different from each other. They may be of different sexes or the same sex. The same holds true for brothers and sisters from the same parents, meaning that DZ twins are simply brothers and/or sisters who happen to have the same age."


    2) "Monozygotic twins, frequently referred to as identical twins, occur when a single egg is fertilized to form one zygote (monozygotic) which then divides into two separate embryos. Their traits and physical appearances are not exactly the same; although they have nearly identical DNA,[13] environmental conditions both inside the womb and throughout their lives influence the switching on and off of various genes. Division of the zygote into two embryos is not considered to be a hereditary trait, but rather an anomaly that occurs in birthing at a rate of about three in every 1000 deliveries worldwide, regardless of race. The two embryos develop into fetuses sharing the same womb. When one egg is fertilized by one sperm cell, and then divides and separates, two identical cells will result."

    "Monozygotic twins are genetically identical (unless there has been a mutation in development) and they are always the same sex."

    "Monozygotic twins look alike, although they do not have the same fingerprints (which are environmental as well as genetic). As they mature, MZ twins often become less alike because of lifestyle choices or external influences. Genetically speaking, the children of MZ twins are half-siblings rather than cousins. If each member of one set of MZ twins reproduces with one member of another set of MZ twins then the resulting children would be genetic full siblings."
    Source and further information:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin

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  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a tiwn:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a tiwn:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by kelly on April 21st, 2009

    kelly

    im a twin:) its horrible
    always looking at my self, shes a bitch always stealing my shit. stupid cow. my boyfriends always checking her out. pretending he thinks its me,
    JERK. :) FUCK twin shit.

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  • by cfiretwin on November 14th, 2008

    cfiretwin

    My sister and I are identical twins, but I'm about two inches taller than her. There are alot of things in genetics that can be altered by the enviroment so you can't always say genetics dominates. Our voices are different, and even our hair color, which IS genetically controlled, is slightly different without using any dyes.

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