Twin and Adoption Studies

Definition

Twin studies compare identical twins raised together versus those raised apart to determine genetic influence. Adoption studies compare biological relatives with adoptive relatives to understand both genetic and environmental influences.

Analogy

Consider twin studies as two plants grown from identical seeds but in different environments. One might be in a sunny spot with plenty of water, while the other is in a shady spot with less water. The differences between these two plants can help us understand how environment affects growth and development.

Related terms

Concordance Rate: This refers to the probability that a pair of individuals will both have a certain characteristic, given that one of the pair has the characteristic.

Genetic Similarity: The genetic similarity between individuals is measured by comparing their DNA sequences.

Heritability: This term refers to the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors.