Identical twins Jada and Olivia were very similar in personality throughout childhood. After high school, Jada majored in music and became an elementary school teacher, while Olivia earned a medical degree and joined Doctors Without Borders, traveling to countries gripped by war and epidemics. Later in life, Olivia was more prone to risk-taking than Jada. This difference in personality is a result of
A) niche-picking.
B) alterations to Olivia's chromosome-5 gene.
C) mutations in Olivia's DD genetic makeup.
D) methylation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference in personality between Jada and Olivia is likely due to epigenetic factors such as methylation, which can alter gene expression without changing DNA sequence. Factors such as Olivia's experiences and environment may have led to differences in methylation patterns, leading to differences in personality traits. Niche-picking, alterations to a specific gene, or mutations in Olivia's genetic makeup are unlikely to be the main cause of the personality differences between the twins.

Identical Twins Jada and Olivia Were Very Similar in Personality