Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Derived from two separately fertilized eggs: Describing twins that develop from two distinct eggs (ova), each fertilized by a separate sperm cell. Such twins are genetically no more similar than ordinary siblings and can be of the same or different sexes.

Usage

• The term dizygous is primarily used in genetics, biology, and medicine to specify the origin of a type of twinning. It is synonymous with dizygotic and is the technical opposite of monozygous (or monozygotic).
• It is most commonly used in the phrase dizygous twins.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The study compared the cognitive development of monozygous and dizygous twin pairs.
  • Because they are dizygous, the twins, one boy and one girl, share approximately 50% of their genes.
  • A dizygous pregnancy results in two separate placentas, known as dichorionic-diamniotic.

Advanced Usage

• "Dizygous" vs. "Fraternal": In common language, dizygous twins are often called "fraternal twins." However, "dizygous" is the precise biological term, while "fraternal" is a more general, non-technical descriptor.
• Statistical Analysis: The term is frequently used in twin studies to differentiate between genetic and environmental influences on traits by comparing concordance rates in dizygous versus monozygous twins.

Variants and Related Words

• Dizygotic (adj): An identical and more commonly used variant of "dizygous." (e.g., )
• Dizygosity (n): The state or condition of being dizygous. (e.g., )
• Monozygous (adj): The antonym, meaning derived from a single fertilized egg.

Synonyms

• Dizygotic: (Identical in meaning, the most direct synonym)
• Fraternal: (Common, non-technical synonym, specifically for twins)
• Biovular: (A less common technical synonym)

Antonyms

• Monozygous: (Derived from one fertilized egg)
• Monozygotic: (Identical in meaning to monozygous)
• Identical: (Common, non-technical antonym for twins)

Adjective

1. derived from two separately fertilized eggs
   • dizygotic twins