Dizygotic Twins

Dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal twins, are two babies born at the same time from two separate eggs. They are different from identical twins, who are created when one egg splits in two and develops into two babies. As a result, dizygotic twins are no more genetically similar than any other siblings, while identical twins share the same DNA. Dizygotic twins occur more frequently than identical twins and are more common in women who are older mothers, and women who have undergone fertility treatments. Dizygotic twins have distinct individual personalities, facial features, and fingerprints, and can be of different genders. Their shared prenatal environment, as well as their genetic similarities, can mean that there are certain physical or psychological similarities between them. Studies show that dizygotic twins, as siblings, can be just as close as identical twins. They can be studied to understand the influence of genetics and the environment on development and the expression of traits.