Describe fraternal twinning, including maternal factors linked to fraternal twinning
What will be an ideal response?
Fraternal, or dizygotic, twins, the most common type of multiple birth, result from the release and fertilization of two ova. Genetically, they are no more alike than ordinary siblings. Older maternal age, fertility drugs, and in vitro fertilization are major causes of the dramatic rise in fraternal twinning and other multiple births in industrialized nations over the past several decades. Specific maternal factors linked to fraternal twinning include:
– Ethnicity. Occurs in 4 per 1,000 births among Asians, 8 per 1,000 births among whites, and 12 to 16 per 1,000 births among blacks
– Family history of twinning. Occurs more often among women whose mothers and sisters gave birth to fraternal twins
– Age. Rises with maternal age, peaking between 35 and 39 years, and then rapidly falls
– Nutrition. Occurs less often among women with poor diets; occurs more often among women who are tall and overweight or of normal weight as opposed to slight body build
– Number of births. Is more likely with each additional birth
– Fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization. Is more likely with fertility hormones and in vitro fertilization, which also increase the chances of bearing triplets, quadruplets, or quintuplets
You might also like to view...
If psychotherapy and biological therapy for a given mental disorder are found to be equally effective and only one therapy can be used,
a. psychotherapy should be used because it has no side effects. b. psychotherapy should be used because it is easier to administer. c. biological therapy should be used because it has longer-lasting effects. d. biological therapy should be used because it is more cost-effective.
The cochlea is divided lengthwise by the ______
a. basilar membrane c. oval window b. round window d. organ of Corti