Discuss how external environment affects the physical & mental developments of identical twins.

Discuss how external environment affects the physical & mental developments of identical twins.

Identical twins often have similar genetic constitution as they come from the same zygote but in life they are often different in so many aspects. This difference is due to the effect of external environment. Evidence abounds of Nigerian athletes or students who perform poorly at home but traveled abroad to become stars. One can only explain this by saying that they had already possessed the potentialities but as the environment was not conducive the potentials could not be manifested at home. The same could be said of identical twins; if they are separated and raised in different environment of different climate, economic background, educational background etc., they will grow up to be different in various aspects

1. “Nature vs. Nurture: How the External Environment Shapes Identical Twins”
2. “The Power of Environment: Impact on Identical Twins’ Development”
3. “Exploring Differences in Identical Twins: Role of the External Environment”
4. “Identical Twins, Unique Paths: How Environment Influences Growth”
5. “The Environment Factor: Unlocking the Secrets of Identical Twins’ Differences”

The external environment plays a significant role in shaping the physical and mental development of identical twins, despite their shared genetic constitution. Here’s how the external environment affects their development:

1. Physical Development:a) Nutrition: Twins raised in environments with access to nutritious food are likely to have better physical development compared to those in environments with limited access to quality nutrition. Proper nutrition is essential for growth and overall health.

   b) Healthcare: Access to healthcare services and preventive measures like vaccinations can differ greatly based on the external environment. This can impact the physical well-being of identical twins, as one may have better access to healthcare than the other.

   c) Physical Activity: Environmental factors such as climate and availability of outdoor spaces can influence physical activity levels. Twins raised in environments that promote physical activity may have better physical fitness.

   d) Exposure to Toxins: The presence of environmental toxins, pollution, or secondhand smoke can negatively affect physical development, potentially leading to health issues in one twin over the other.

2. Mental Development:a) Educational Opportunities: Identical twins raised in different educational environments may receive varying levels of education and exposure to different teaching methods. This can result in differences in academic achievement and cognitive development.

   b) Social and Cultural Influences: The social and cultural aspects of the external environment, including family dynamics, community values, and peer interactions, can shape the twins’ personalities, beliefs, and behaviors differently.

   c) Stress and Adversity: Twins exposed to different levels of stress or adversity in their environments may develop varying coping mechanisms and resilience levels, which can impact their mental well-being.

   d) Access to Mental Healthcare: The availability of mental healthcare services can differ between environments. One twin may have better access to mental health support and therapy, leading to differences in emotional development and mental health outcomes.

   e) Language and Communication: The language spoken and the quality of communication within the environment can influence language development and communication skills in identical twins.

In summary, while identical twins share the same genetic constitution, the external environment plays a crucial role in shaping their physical and mental development. Variations in nutrition, healthcare, education, social influences, and exposure to stressors can lead to differences in their growth, health, personalities, and cognitive abilities. Identical twins raised in different environments may indeed develop into unique individuals due to the significant impact of their surroundings on their development.

Evaluation

1. Identical twins have a similar genetic ________, yet they can be different in various aspects due to the impact of the external environment.
a) appearance
b) constitution
c) personality

2. Environmental factors can influence the ________ development of identical twins, including nutrition and access to healthcare.
a) physical
b) emotional
c) social

3. The external environment plays a role in shaping the ________ and behaviors of identical twins.
a) preferences
b) personalities
c) hobbies

4. Access to nutritious food can impact the ________ development of identical twins.
a) physical
b) mental
c) emotional

5. The availability of healthcare services can affect the ________ of identical twins, leading to differences in health outcomes.
a) physical fitness
b) physical well-being
c) academic achievement

6. Identical twins may receive varying levels of ________ based on their environmental factors.
a) education
b) motivation
c) hobbies

7. Differences in family dynamics, community values, and peer interactions can be attributed to ________ influences on identical twins.
a) genetic
b) social and cultural
c) emotional

8. Stress and adversity in the external environment can influence ________ development and resilience levels in identical twins.
a) physical
b) emotional
c) intellectual

9. Access to mental healthcare services can lead to differences in ________ development and mental health outcomes in identical twins.
a) physical
b) emotional
c) social

10. Variations in language spoken and communication quality in the environment can influence ________ development in identical twins.
a) language and communication
b) physical fitness
c) educational achievements

11. Identical twins may experience differences in their ________ growth, health, personalities, and cognitive abilities due to the external environment.
a) emotional
b) physical and mental
c) social

12. Exposure to environmental toxins, pollution, or secondhand smoke can negatively affect ________ development in identical twins.
a) physical
b) emotional
c) social

13. The ________ environment plays a crucial role in shaping the unique characteristics and experiences of identical twins.
a) genetic
b) external
c) internal

14. Identical twins raised in different environments can develop into unique individuals due to the significant impact of their ________ on their development.
a) surroundings
b) hobbies
c) genetics

15. Differences in the ________ of identical twins can be attributed to their exposure to distinct environmental factors.
a) personalities
b) genetic makeup
c) life experiences

• Explain the concept of “Monozygotic twins”.
• Explain any four (4) of their educational implications
• What are the intellectual characteristics of adolescents?