Monozygotic twins share what percentage of genes?

Delve into the IB Psychology Biological Approach. Practice with multiple choice questions, each offering detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and boost your readiness for the exam!

Multiple Choice

Monozygotic twins share what percentage of genes?

Explanation:
Identical (monozygotic) twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, so they inherit the same genetic material. Because they originate from the same zygote, they share essentially all of their genes—about 100%. In practice, tiny differences can arise from rare post-zygotic mutations or epigenetic changes that affect how genes are expressed, but the underlying DNA sequence is the same. This is why identical twins are used to study genetic influences, as they provide a near-perfect genetic match.

Identical (monozygotic) twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, so they inherit the same genetic material. Because they originate from the same zygote, they share essentially all of their genes—about 100%. In practice, tiny differences can arise from rare post-zygotic mutations or epigenetic changes that affect how genes are expressed, but the underlying DNA sequence is the same. This is why identical twins are used to study genetic influences, as they provide a near-perfect genetic match.

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