♥ I always found Twins quite enthralling and miraculous. However, do Identical Twins share the same fingerprints or DNA? In addition, if you would like to add some more interesting facts about this question, please feel free.
Thank you to all those experts!
2007-11-05 11:25:03 · 14 answers · asked by Nicole S 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Identical twins START identical, but differences just accumulate with age.
Even at a DNA level, mutations can and do occur almost every time a cell divides. Given the huge volume of DNA each of us has, this doesn't always accumulate to huge differences, but it does mean that one twin won't have EXACTLY the same DNA as his other... just a heck of a lot closer than any other relationship (parents and siblings share about 50% of their DNA while twins are pretty close to 100%).
Likewise, there are a lot of changes to DNA that are made in the process of growing. Some genes are turned off or on, and because this is often in response to environmental factors this means that twins can end up looking fairly different in spite of their near-identical DNA. Fingerprints are not determined directly by DNA, but more by growth patterns, blood pressure, and other factors during development. Most identical twins thus have similar but different fingerprints (rather like most of their features). Again, they are probably closer than most siblings, but not exactly identical.
There is some evidence to suggest that personality and preferences are influenced, but not determined by DNA. This means that most identical twins TEND to like the same stuff, but don't necessarily. Thus we can see examples of twins who were separated at birth and end up in the same career, marrying the same kind of person, and wearing the same kinds of outfits.
2007-11-05 11:42:44 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No they are not absolutely identical.
Although fingerprints have a genetic basis they also form as part of the development process. So differences can occur as the identical twins develop in the womb. However, they are very very similar and it depends on how many points of comparison you want to make.
Identical twins start off at fertilisation as having identical DNA. However, in the early stages of development small changes in their DNA can occur. This means that if you were to sequence the whole genome of identical twins then you would find small differences in their DNA. However, DNA comparisons are made by looking at specific parts of each person's DNA. These parts are called loci. DNA analysis for forensic purposes looks at ~ 12 -15 different loci. Here the DNA of identical twins would show no differences and therefore would be regarded as 'the same.'
2007-11-05 19:26:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am pretty sure they will have the same fingerprints and DNA. When I read your question, the first thing I thought of was about a case from a few years back. Some guy was in prison for committing a crime, I think it was rape- something involving DNA, but it was his identical twin who did it. Sorry I can't give you a news link because I can't remember the year it happened. I'm sure the answers to your questions are online somewhere though.
2007-11-05 11:34:26 · answer #3 · answered by macho_bob 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Identical twins have similar finger prints but not identical. There are random and environmental factors that affect the patten of finger prints.
They have identical DNA sequences in most cases because they come from the same original fertilized egg. They can rarely have some genetic differences because of random mutations. Also they may have detectable differences in their epigenome, since the pattern DNA regulation is partially set by environment.
2007-11-05 11:42:46 · answer #4 · answered by Michalchik 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as they've told you, their nuclear DNA is the same. DNA in the nucleus is identical in twins because they come from a single cell. Their fingertips are also the same. But, there's DNA outside the nucleus. Mitochondria (kind of like cell's lungs) also have DNA. This DNA is inherited directly from mother to offspring, and twins can have slightly different mitochondrial DNA. Also, mutations can alter slightly the DNA, and they happen differently in every person, so twins could have stightly different DNA because of this.
2007-11-05 12:17:15 · answer #5 · answered by Lara Croft 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Different fingerprints--but identical twins will have identical DNA
2007-11-05 12:10:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Identical twins are genetically identical. Finger prints are subject to developmental processes, as are many other things that are part of the phenotype. That is why identical twins, who come from the same egg, are slightly different after developing.
2007-11-05 11:37:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Identical twins come from one egg which splits, so they will have the same DNA, not sure about the finger prints though
2007-11-05 11:31:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
they have similar DNA but identical twins means they look and sound the same, dont think their fingerprints are exactly the same though
2007-11-05 11:36:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
yes that is when it goes thruogh astage called mitosis then the result is cytokinesis wich is wwhen you get two identical daaughters made from the same chromosomes and DNA
2007-11-05 11:47:45 · answer #10 · answered by freaky arab! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋