Assuming that:
1.The fathers aren't related
2. Born the same time(hour/day/year)
**Please leave any negative cultural assumptions out as much as possible I want to know this merely from a scientific view point**
I know the children might not have the same exact DNA or parents for that matter so some might say they aren't twins. However, children,(not identical) who's birth meet the criteria in my #1 assumption are considered twins but siblings that are several years apart are not. Why is that?. I mean they have the same parents right?This led me to the conclusion that timing of births figures greatly into whether or not a set of siblings are considered twins. (another way of determining a set of twins) So, I'm asking, because the kids in my question situation meet the timing aspect but not DNA(like fraternal twins) would they be considered twins?
*If you see any errors in my line of thinking please feel free to straighten it out. I won't take offense, cuz I'm here to learn*
2007-06-20 18:58:03 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Two children born of the same mother at the same time are twins. They do not have to be identical to be twins, they would be considered fraternal twins but they're still twins.
To be precise this particular set would be considered fraternal twin half-siblings.
2007-06-20 19:04:56 · answer #1 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is funny I just finished watching a show about this. Yes, they are considered twins. They are fraternal because they were conceived within a short period of time as one another and develop at the same time. As a matter of fact, 1 in 400 fraternal twin births are estimated to have two different fathers.
2007-06-20 19:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by antsy33 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, go to www.webmd.com and type in 'twins by different fathers' in the search line. In the articles listed, go to one called "CARRYING MULTIPLES" . On page 3 and 4 of 11 it states these facts:
(1)Fraternal twins look no more alike than other pairs of siblings, so it IS possible for them to have 2 different fathers. It is a process called SUPERFECUNDATION.
(2) In some cases, the 2nd egg is fertilized in a different reproductive (monthly) cycle than the 1st egg. Occurs when low hormone levels in pregnancy fail to suppress or stop ovulation.
(3)It is also possible to miscarry one embryo and go on to carry the other to full term.
(4) Most twins are born within minutes of each other, but it IS possible that days or even months pass between births.
2007-06-20 19:26:07 · answer #3 · answered by jan51601 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
two kids from different fathers cant be concieved at the same time by one mother. as soon as a sperm cell touches the egg, an envelope forms around it so nothing else can fertilize it. when the fertilized egg splits you get identical twins. if the woman has 2 eggs and they get fertilized by separate sperm cells you get fraternal twins. but in orrder for the 2 eggs to recieve sperm from two different guys almost at the exact same time is so unlikely. the woman would have to do them both at the same time and have them *** in her at the exact same time for even a chance. and you have to keep in mind how much sperm is released. if it does end up happening, i guess you can call them twins
2007-06-20 19:03:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes...they would be considered twins. Being twins is about timing. As an example, test tube babies. Two eggs from the same mother was fertilized in a test tube by two different sperm donors would be considered twins as long as they were conceived right about the same time. remember, test tube babies have a window that they have to be conceived by.
2007-06-20 19:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by Martha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is that even possible? I know a woman can release more than one egg at a time or that an egg can split in two.. But, I don't think different men could fertilize individual eggs resulting in twins.
2007-06-20 19:23:45 · answer #6 · answered by Charles W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be highly doubtful that that would work because on the off chance that a woman gives off two eggs there would be a chance that only one man would be that father of both children and if your assuming that two different sperm get to the egg the egg makes a coating on it right after the first sperm gets in so no other sperm can get it
2007-06-20 19:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by Chris S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Definition of twins is they are born together.
2007-06-20 19:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by Michelic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thy're not twins. There was such a case and the children were of mixed races'
2007-06-20 19:54:31 · answer #9 · answered by grandmaofnine 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maternal half-twins...
As identical half-twins in such an event is impossible...
2007-06-20 19:01:26 · answer #10 · answered by ★Greed★ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋