Pregnancy Forum - Silly Question About Embryonic/fetal Development

Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Forum > Silly Question About Embryonic/fetal Development

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Q: Silly Question About Embryonic/fetal Development

asked by: ScaredBaka on August 14th, 2004

Experienced User

I learned in biology class last year that a fertilized egg cell that splits can result in twins, and further cell division can mean more offspring.

Here's my question for all you science buffs in the house...If a completely divided zygote makes twins, will a partially divided one make siamese twins?

...........

Linz - should have looked on a science forum for this o.O

Replies(1)

Kia

replied on August 15th, 2004

Moderator

I'll tell you what I know.
Once a sperm is in the egg, division starts. Therefore it becomes two cells.
A good way to think of identical twins is this (probably not quite scientifically correct but it gets the idea across) so the first divison has happened, but then then 2cell "forgets" where it was and starts over, thus each of the 2 cells starts at the beginning hence identical twins.
Other ways to get twins are
2 sperm into 1 egg
2 sperm into 2 eggs
these however will not be identical and may even be boy/girl instead of boy/boy girl/girl.
Can't really advise on multiple pregnancies however try google.
Given how cells divide into 2 triplets (and other odd numbers) pose a possible question - were they 4 (or even number above) and one got re-absorbed?

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