2007-02-16 01:19:57 · 5 answers · asked by Zelda Hunter 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The term chimera was originally used to describe twins who had shared a blood supply in the womb, and still had both types circulating at birth.
More recently it has been used to describe two fraternal embryos that fuse into a single embryo, which continues to grow as one person. This person has two types of cell, with different genetic make-up, but otherwise is generally normal. If such a chimera is tested for things like blood type, tissue compatibility and genetic fingerprinting, the result will depend on which of the original twins provided the cells being tested. Several cases have been identified, usually when a mother finds her offspring apparently are not related to her. See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/13/nivf113.xml
2007-02-16 02:06:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not positive, but i think a chimera is a twin (sibling) that never developed. The DNA is still carried by the child that was actually born, but something takes place at the very beginning of developement, still in the womb, and only one fetus is produced. As far as I know it's very rare. Don't take my word for it, though... I watch a lot of x-files.
2007-02-16 01:29:45 · answer #2 · answered by philthykid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A chimera is a person who has more than 1 blood type in his or her body. If I remember correctly, part of the body may also be composed of a different DNA than the rest.
Here's a link that should help you out.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8905
2007-02-16 01:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by Woot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a chimera is a transgenic form of bacteria in which the bacteria has had a plasmid (small ring of DNA) placed in it, that contains genetic information from another organism. This is how they make insulin for diabetics instead of using animal insulin. The chimera bacteria has the gene for producing human insulin implanted into it, so it then produces the protein
2007-02-16 02:00:54 · answer #4 · answered by Peter W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first link tells what mythology says about them and the second is about humans with this condition. it happens when one twin dies in utero and the other twin absorbs the body. see if you can watch the show on Discovery health, "Iam my own twin". CSI also did a show where the murderer was a chimera.
2007-02-16 01:30:46 · answer #5 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋