My husband thinks that because identical twins have different finger prints then they don't have identicle DNA. I thought that identical twins were the same egg and same sperm but later the egg splits into two after being fertillised. This would make the twins have exactly the same DNA wouldn't it? Every finger has a different print on it, I mean your 8 fingers and thumbs would have different prints.
2007-01-19 12:10:09 · 12 answers · asked by gemwi 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
You are right....but wait there is more!
Now they are finding traits called epigenic traits. They arise from genetic material within the cell other than the DNA in the nucleus. The DNA in the nucleus of identical twins is identical, but the expression of that DNA may be slightly different due to RNA. Some trait in twins like their fingerprints are different because of the gentle influence of these epigenic traits.
I believe James Watson (of Watson and Crick fame) did some work on this....?
2007-01-19 12:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by Ellie S 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Correct. Identical twins occur when one egg-sperm embryo slits into two separate embryos and then the babies develop independently. They have exactly the same DNA. This also explains why Identical twins are ALWAYS the same sex and generally are very hard to tell apart. Unless one gains more weight or is affected by other environmental things.
Fraternal Twins on the other hand result from two separate sets of egg-sperm embryos growing in the womb together. They may be of same sex or one of each sex, but regardless they often times end up looking similar ... but more along the lines of a close brother or sister .... but different enough that they can be distinguished from each other.
Fingerprints have little to do with DNA or physical closeness.
2007-01-19 12:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by Informed1 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Identical (monozygotic) twins, come from the same fertilized egg (zygote) and therefore have identical DNA. Although they have the same DNA this does not mean that they are exactly the same however as they are in different places in the uterus, they may receive slightly different amounts of nutrients, they are born at slightly different times....etc.
Fingerprints are however different in these twins.
2007-01-20 02:53:58 · answer #3 · answered by Rozzy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a twin brother, but my sisters are identical twins and they have very differnt finger prints, when they were little they did somthing with ink on paper in school and when they brought them home, they didnt look much alike.
2007-01-21 08:17:28 · answer #4 · answered by bananas0up 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Identical DNA..different fingerprints. Fingerprints not decided by DNA.
2007-01-19 21:52:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although identical twins have the same genotype, or DNA, they have different phenotypes, meaning that the same DNA is expressed in different ways. This is why their DNA will match but their fingerprints will be different.
2007-01-19 12:20:44 · answer #6 · answered by Leo_B_Scotch 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
They have identical Genes. Slightly diferent conditrions in womb make small changes. This could include share of nutrients, position or evn growth rate.
2007-01-19 12:19:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
identical twins happen exactly the way you explained.
2007-01-20 04:27:07 · answer #8 · answered by christina c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
identical twins do infact have identical DNA. this happens because of what you said.
2007-01-19 12:14:36 · answer #9 · answered by ALM 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i dont know for sure,but surely they must have different DNA,because if one committed a crime then that means it would never be proven which twin did it.so therefore they would both be charged.surely thats not right.your twins finger prints wouldnt be idential,no 2 are the same!
2007-01-19 12:18:32 · answer #10 · answered by stokies 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋