Twin studies
Twin Studies
Twin studies (pronunciation: /twɪn ˈstʌdiz/) are a type of genetic study that compares the similarities and differences between identical twins and fraternal twins to determine the relative influence of genetics and environment on various traits and conditions.
Etymology
The term "twin studies" is derived from the English words "twin", referring to one of two offspring born at the same birth, and "studies", referring to the systematic investigation of a subject.
Definition
Twin studies are a specific type of epidemiological study that utilize the unique genetic relationship of twins. They are used to estimate the degree of heritability of traits and to quantify the effects of shared environment and non-shared environment.
Methodology
Twin studies typically involve comparing the phenotypes of monozygotic (identical) twins and dizygotic (fraternal) twins. Monozygotic twins share 100% of their genetic material, while dizygotic twins share on average 50% of their segregating genes. By comparing the degree of similarity in traits or conditions between these two types of twins, researchers can estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors.
Related Terms
- Monozygotic twins: Twins who are genetically identical, often referred to as identical twins.
- Dizygotic twins: Twins who share about 50% of their genes, often referred to as fraternal twins.
- Concordance rate: The probability that a pair of individuals will both have a certain characteristic, given that one of the pair has the characteristic.
- Heritability: The proportion of observed variation in a particular trait that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Twin studies
- Wikipedia's article - Twin studies
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