dizygous
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- derived from two separately fertilized eggs
- dizygotic twins