Mitochondrial DNA

📖 Full definition

Each cell contains hundreds of mitochondria, each with its own DNA (16,569 bases in humans). This DNA is inherited almost exclusively from the mother, since paternal mitochondria are destroyed after fertilisation. It is used to trace ancestral maternal lineages.

💡 Concrete example

All living human females share a common ancestor through mitochondrial DNA: "Mitochondrial Eve" (~150-200,000 years ago).

🔄 Synonyms

mtDNA

🔗 See also

• Heritability →
• Genotype →