Identical twins

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Identical Twins

Identical twins (pronunciation: /aɪˈdɛntɪkəl twɪnz/), also known as monozygotic twins, are a type of twin that develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two embryos. The term is derived from the Greek words 'mono' meaning 'one' and 'zygotos' meaning 'yoked or joined'.

Development

Identical twins occur when a single egg is fertilized to form one zygote (hence, "monozygotic") which then divides into two separate embryos. Unlike fraternal twins, the twins share the same genetic material, making them genetically identical.

Characteristics

Identical twins share the same genetic material, which often results in them having similar physical characteristics and abilities. However, environmental factors can lead to differences in their phenotypes.

Health Implications

Identical twins can provide valuable information for genetic research, as they share the same genetic material. However, they may also be at risk for certain genetic conditions, such as Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski