Genetic Research

Twin Studies - types of twins

Monozygotic: share 100% of genes as they come from the same egg

Dizygotic: 50% of genes

Twin Studies - purpose

Measure concordance rates of a particular trait across the two different types of twins/the chance that one twin will have a particular trait given that the other does/schizophrenia is 50% for MZ and 17 for DZ

Twin Studies - differences

A significant difference between concordance rates for MZ and DZ twins is thought to be a genetic difference/extra 50% of genetic similarity is responsible

Limitations of Twin Studies

• MZ and DZ twins may not grow up in equally similar environments

• Genes and the environment affect each other

Epigenetics Definition

How the environment affects gene expression

Epigenetics procedure

Methyl groups can turn genes on and off by wrapping around a gene and preventing it from being expressed/environmental factors can cause methyl groups to become removed