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How Are Identical (MZ) and Fraternal (DZ) Twins Different?

April 26, 2017different dz fraternal identical twins

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How Are Identical (MZ) and Fraternal (DZ) Twins Different?

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Identical twins differ from fraternal twins in the number of genes they have in common. Genes are the chemical units in the cells of the body. They act as blueprints for guiding and directing growth. Identical, or monozygotic (MZ), twins have the same genetic makeup. Shortly after a single egg cell has been fertilized by a single sperm cell, the fertilized egg cell (or zygote) splits in half. Rather than developing into one individual, the fertilized egg cell develops into two individuals with the same genetic makeup. Fraternal, or dizygotic (DZ), twins share 50% of their genes. Two different individuals, no more genetically alike than brothers and sisters, develop from separate fertilizations.