Can identical twins differ in height?

Question

IMDB prescribes one of the Olsen twins as 5'1" and the other as 5'3". Their facial features and body builds seem to be the same (from my standpoint).

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2247137024/nm0001580

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1258067968/nm0001580

Answer 1

of course they can. identical twins are borned with the same DNA  because they are made from the same gamete. however, as they grow up you start to see differences in them because of enviromental factors such as nutrition exercise and lifestyle

Answer 2

Some identical twins can have different heights and weights. This is because height and weight are not only controlled by our DNA, but also by what we eat, illness and other environmental factors. And differences in diet can start before twins are even born! When the twins are growing inside the uterus, there can be differences in how well they connect to the placenta. This can mean one twin starts getting more to eat even before they take their first breath.

Answer 3

although you're right to doubt the accuracy of this report, it's possible for them to be quite different in height.

environmental factors such as diet, exercise, illness, injury and posture can all affect a person's height.

in the case of the olsen twins, they have a well-documented history of eating disorders which can affect growth in adolescent girls.  it could well be that this accounts for a difference in height, although for it to be as much as 2 inches seems a lot.

Answer 4

The Olsen twins are NOT identical. Although they look very similar, they are actually fraternal twins, which arise from two separate fertilized eggs. Additionally, height is controlled by inputs of human growth horomone from the pituitary gland. This gland can respond to influences that are not genetic, eg environmental, diet, etc.

Answer 5

Gene can be activated or deactivated partially as a result of environmental exposure. So if the twins live in an identical environment (including identical psychological environment), they can't have different height, BUT this is unlikely so answer:

They can since gene activations can differ among the twin due to the different environment exposure likely to be experienced by the twins.

Answer 6

The term "identical twins"  is actually incorrect.  Yes, based on visual perception of many twins there is great similarity.  However, there is actually no such thing as a pair of identical twins.  Yes, they can certainly differ in height.

Answer 7

Yes, if their diets are different.  One of them smokes more than the other and has starved herself more.  As time goes on, these environmental differences will cause them to look more and more different as they age.

I'm with you.  I think they're identical, and wear different clothes, shoes, hairstyles, to make themselves appear less identical.  Only a DNA test could tell for sure.

I own a copy of one of their VHS movies ("When in Rome").  For one of their ads, if you close your eyes, you can't tell which of them is talking -- or even when they change from one speaking to the other.  Their voices were identical (I betcha that Mary-Kate is hoarser now, from smoking too much).

Edit:  Yes, you'll read that they call themselves fraternal.  I think that either they don't know (having never done the DNA test), or they lie.

Answer 8

There were these twin sisters just turning one hundred years old in

St.Luke's Nursing Home and the editor of the Cambridge rag, "The Cambridge

Distorter," told a photographer to get over there and take the pictures of

these 100 year old twin biddies.

One of the twins was hard of hearing and the other could hear quite well.

The photographer asked them to sit on the sofa and the deaf one said to

her twin, "WHAT DID HE SAY?" He said, "WE GOTTA SIT OVER THERE ON THE SOFA!" said the other. "Now get a little closer

together," said the cameraman. Again, "WHAT DID HE SAY?" "HE SAYS SQUEEZE TOGETHER A LITTLE." So they wiggled up

close to each other. "Just hold on for a bit longer, I've got to focus a little," said the photographer. Yet again, "WHAT DID HE SAY?"

"HE SAYS HE'S GONNA FOCUS!"

With a big grin the deaf twin shouted out, "OH MY GOD - BOTH OF US?"

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

I'll say yes.  I think I remember a pair of basketball players who were twins, and one was 2 inches taller than the other.  I believe a severe child hood injury stunted the shorter ones growth.

Answer 11

Actually they aren't identical twins.  They look so much alike that a person would think so, but they aren't.