Q:
What Is the Difference Between Paternal and Maternal Twins?
A:
Quick Answer
Paternal and maternal twins, commonly known as fraternal and identical twins, are distinguished by the different ways the multiple pregnancy begins. Identical twins begin as a single zygote that splits into two or more developing embryos. Fraternal twins are usually the result of multiple eggs being present for fertilization.
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Full Answer
Because of their common origin, identical twins share a genome and are genetically indistinguishable. Despite this underlying similarity, superficial features such as fingerprints still vary between them. Fraternal twins, arising from separate zygotes with their own unique complement of genes, do not share a genome and are no more closely related to each other than any other siblings.
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Q:
What Does "fraternal Twins" Mean?
A: Fraternal twins, also known as dizygotic twins, occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. This results in two babies who are not i... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is It Possible to Have Twins From Two Different Dads?
A: It might sound like a wayward twist from a movie, but it is possible for fraternal (not identical) twins to come from two different dads. The circumstances... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Can a Boy and a Girl Be Identical Twins?
A: Rarely, a boy and girl may be identical twins. This condition, called Turner Syndrome, afflicts very few pairs of twins. The gender difference occurs when ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Are Non-Identical Twins Made?
A: Nonidentical twins occur when a woman produces two separate eggs that are then fertilized by two different sperm cells. The resulting twins sometimes look ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
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