Recent research involving a number of identical twins has shown that, after decades, they become very dissimilar.
According to text book, a sperm with X or Y chromosomes and the ovum with X chromosomes, combine to form a single cell, the oozote. This divides to form two identical cells, which some how get detached from each other, resulting in two identical twins. If the initial cell division results in a single entity without becoming separate, only one baby will be formed after a series of divisions.
The researchers found that in several cases, one of the identical twins developed cancer, while the other one was perfectly normal.
Even otherwise, there are minor differences which the mother can easily find out, even as they are babies. Their character is also dissimilar.
This means that when a cell divides, the resultant cells are not exact replica of one another. What is the explanation?
As I have pointed out in my blog on cytoplasm, at one stage, when the chromosomes become invisible, before the dividing membrane is formed, it is the cytoplasm that takes control of the operations. This mechanism must be fully understood.
In the normall course, all the cells formed initially are identical (is it really so?). Afterwards, a division of these cells appears: one third bcoming bones, one third developing as muscles and the remaining cells forming the nervous system. Who decides which cells develop into which group?
I hope some attempt is being made to solve this riddle.
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