A Relatively New Theory Has Arisen Regarding the Development of Twins

question 40

Multiple Choice

A relatively new theory has arisen regarding the development of twins at fertilization. In addition to the phenomena of identical and fraternal twins, the theory suggests that semi-identical twins called polar body twins can occur if fertilization occurs in the second polar body immediately after fertilization of the oocyte (different sperm fertilizing each) . If this is true, what should be true about the zygotes?

• A)One twin will be physically smaller than the other after birth and later in life.
• B)At least one of the twins will have a genetic abnormality due to the nature of the division that produces the secondary oocyte and polar body.
• C)The twins will possess exactly the same genetic material.
• D)The twins will have the exact same maternal genes, but their paternal genes will vary.