I would say the odds are low, but not zero. I have twin brothers, and they have the same hair color, but they aren't identical in everything. Throughout the years (they will be 21) they have changed. They still look like each other, but one is taller then the other, and/or one is skinnier then the other. They are still identical, but factors in their life have molded them to what they are today.
Hair color is tricky. And usually the hair color you are born with isn't what you end up with. Hormones are to thank, and that would be the only reason why the hair would be different...a slight characteristic flaw in the hormones.
They SAY twins are twins, but coming from personal experience...no one can be EXACTLY the same. We are all unique, even if someone looks like us.What are the odds of identical twins having different hair colors?
I just saw my brothers this past weekend, (i haven't seen both of them at the same time in many months). It reminded me of this question, then I got an email about it. Thanks for choosing me!!!
Report Abuse
That would be Zero. They are not identical if they have different anything. Identical means exactly the same. Technically, identical twins don't exist because there fingerprints are always different.
I would go with DBK on this.
your sister used hair dye and changed hair color.... and you didn't know?
An identical twin is formed when ONE egg is fertilized by ONE sperm to produce a single zygote. This zygote then divides into two seperate embryos, giving two individuals sharing the EXACT same genetic information.
Strictly genetically speaking, identical twins shouldn't be different in any aspect since they share the same genes. But, environmental influences can affect how genes are expressed. Since twins can have differing environmental experiences, they can have some traits that they don't share.
The odds of having identical twins with different hair colors is zero, strictly from a genetic standpoint. Environmental factors, however, could theoretically lead to differences in gene expression and thus differences in hair color. The difference would be very subtle, maybe a little lighter shade to a little darker. Drastic differences, like blonde and red, wouldn't be feasible.
There is a reason that geneticists prefer the term monozygotic twins over identical twins. Monozygotic twins do not have to be identical phenotypically, they just have identical DNA. Many plants and insects have identical DNA and are not identical phenotypically. It's just easy to spot monozygotic twins when they look the same, but in order to be 100% sure you have to have a DNA test. If you have had a DNA test you can be sure but there is probably no way to measure the odds since a lot of monozygotic twins probably think they are dizygotic since they don't look exactly the same. No studies have been done to see the degree of variability in phenotype resulting from identical genotypes though. More reasearch definitely needs to be done in this area.
p.s. My hair is a different color from my brother's too, dark vs. light brown.
Dude when they say IDENTICAL twins they mean IDENTICAL twins, they would have the same hair color.
There are two basic types of twins: monozygotic, commonly referred to as identical twins and dizygotic, referred to as fraternal twins. There are also other rare and unusual types of twins, such as polar body twins. The specific cause of twinning is still a mystery.
Identical Twins
Identical, or monozygotic, twins develop from one fertilized egg (mono=one, zygote=egg). This egg divides into two individuals who will share all their genes in common. No one knows what causes the egg to divide in half. These twins are genetic clones of each other. They will therefore always be the same sex and have identical features, eye and hair color. Their handprints and footprints are similar, but the fingerprints are different. This type is what most people think of when they think of twins.
Fraternal Twins
Fraternal, or dizygotic, twins develop from two eggs (di=two, zygote=egg) that are fertilized separately by two different sperm. This usually happens when the mother produces more than one egg at ovulation. These two fertilized eggs develop separately and have their own unique genes. They are no more alike than single brothers and sisters genetically. Dizygotic, or fraternal, twins may be the same sex or opposite and may appear similar or look completely different. They may have different hair and eye colors and be different sizes. Some may not even appear to be related!
More Than Two...
Other multiple types are possible, such as triplets which consist of three babies; quadruplets (or quads) which are four babies; quintuplets (or quints) which are five babies; sextuplets which are six babies; and septuplets which are seven babies. These are all referred to as higher order multiples or supertwins. Higher order multiples can be any combination of the two basic twin types.
Yes it is possible genetically, but very rare. It requires a mutation to occur after the zygote separates into separate fetuses. Not likely at all, but I bet it has happened.
It is also possible due to not genetic causes, like a pigment blocking pre-natal birth defect or injury after birth that blocks pigments. This will result in the injured twin having typically white hair. Surprisingly this is more likely than the genetic situation.
Identical twins can't have different hair color, they are identical except maybe at the DNA level, which would be very similar anyway.
Paternal twins CAN have 2 different hair colors.
Maternal twins can't they are the identical twins.
While Paternal twins may look alike, they will have differences.
What is the difference? Maternal twins are created when a fertilized egg inside the mother splits into two babies. Paternal twins are when 2 seperate eggs are fertilized at the same time inside the mother.
No comments:
Post a Comment