What is the Difference Between Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins?

The main difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins lies in their genetic makeup and how they are formed in the womb.

Monozygotic twins, also known as identical twins, form from a single fertilized egg (ovum) that splits into two, resulting in two babies with exactly the same genetic information. Some key points about monozygotic twins include:

• They are always of the same sex.
• They share the same DNA.
• They may or may not share the same placenta and amniotic sac, depending on when the fertilized egg splits during development.

Dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal twins, form from two separate eggs (ova) that are fertilized by two separate sperm, resulting in two genetically unique children. Some key points about dizygotic twins include:

• They can be of the same or opposite sex.
• They share about 50% of their DNA, like any other siblings.
• They usually develop separate amniotic sacs, placentas, and supporting structures.

In summary, monozygotic twins are identical and share the same genetic information, while dizygotic twins are fraternal and have unique genetic makeups. The former is formed from a single fertilized egg splitting into two, and the latter is formed from two separate eggs being fertilized by two separate sperm.

Comparative Table: Monozygotic vs Dizygotic Twins

Here is a table comparing the differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins:

Monozygotic twins, also known as identical twins, develop from one embryo that splits into two, resulting in genetically identical individuals with the same gender. On the other hand, dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal twins or non-identical twins, develop from two distinct eggs fertilized by two separate sperm, resulting in genetically varied individuals with different genders.