A pregnant patient asks you to describe the differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Which statement should you include in your teaching?
A)Dizygotic twinning occurs less frequently than does monozygotic twinning.
B)Monozygotic twins originate from division of the fertilized ovum at different stages.
C)Dizygotic twins share one placenta and one chorion.
D)Monozygotic twins are also referred to as "fraternal" twins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins, or "identical" twins, originate from division of the fertilized ovum at different stages, resulting in two embryos with identical genetic material. Dizygotic twins, or "fraternal" twins, occur when two eggs are simultaneously fertilized by two sperm, resulting in two embryos with different genetic material. Dizygotic twinning actually occurs more frequently than monozygotic twinning. Dizygotic twins can have separate placentas and chorions, or share both.

A Pregnant Patient Asks You to Describe the Differences Between