Fraternal twins are conceived from two separate fertilized eggs, while identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits. Fraternal twins can look different and may be of different genders, sharing only 50% of their genes. They are also more common among older mothers and in certain regions.
Fraternal twins are siblings who are conceived from two separate fertilized eggs at the same time. They are also sometimes referred to as “biovular twins” or “non-identical twins.” In fact, it is quite common to define fraternal twins as opposed to identical twins. Identical twins are two brothers born from a single fertilized egg that splits to create two fetuses instead. One of the main characteristics of identical twins is that they look incredibly similar or identical. Also, identical twins always share the same gender.
Unlike identical twins, fraternal twins can look quite different as siblings sometimes do. Indeed, it is common for fraternals to be confused with siblings who are simply the same age. This is especially true in later childhood, adolescence and later in life. Also, while these twins may be of the same gender, it is also possible for such a pair of twins to consist of a boy and a girl. That’s because, instead of sharing all of their genes as with identical twins, fraternal twins share 50 percent of their genes on average.
Another term for twins of this type is “dizygotic twins” which is sometimes referred to in a shortened term as “dz twins”. This simply means that twins are the result of two zygotes instead of one, as is the case with identical twins. Zygote is the scientific term for a fertilized egg. In the case of identical twins, or “monozygotic twins”, only one zygote is present at the time of conception.
Much later in life, it is possible for identical twins to be confused with fraternal twins. That’s because your overall health, your level of self-care, and your lifestyle can all alter how you age. If the two members of a pair of identical twins lead very different lives, it is possible that they will look more and more dissimilar as they get older. Cosmetic choices like hairstyle, clothing, and makeup can also make identical twins look more fraternal.
There are some groups that are more likely to produce fraternal twins than others. Dizygotic twins are more common among older mothers, particularly women who conceive after age 35. They are also quite common in Japan and parts of Africa. There is some evidence that there dz twins are often the result of a genetic predisposition.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
