Identical

Identical is a term often used in genetics and biology to refer to entities that are exactly the same in all aspects. This term is commonly used in the context of identical twins, also known as monozygotic twins, who are genetically the same because they originate from a single fertilized egg that splits into two.

Genetics of Identical Twins

Identical twins share the same genetic makeup because they are formed from a single zygote that splits into two embryos. This means that they share 100% of their DNA, unlike fraternal twins, who only share about 50% of their DNA, similar to any other siblings.

Identical vs Fraternal Twins

While identical twins originate from a single fertilized egg that splits, fraternal twins are the result of two separate eggs being fertilized by two different sperm. This results in fraternal twins sharing about 50% of their DNA, similar to any other siblings, while identical twins share 100% of their DNA.

Implications of Identical Genetics

The identical genetic makeup of identical twins has been used in various scientific research studies to understand the influence of nature versus nurture on human development. Because identical twins share the same genes, any differences in their physical or mental health can be attributed to environmental factors, rather than genetic ones.

See Also

• Twin
• Genetics
• Zygote
• DNA
• Nature vs nurture

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