mitochondrial DNA
Matrilineal genetic material
Mitochondrial DNA is genetic material found in mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells.
Unlike nuclear DNA, which combines material from both parents, mitochondrial DNA passes exclusively through the maternal line—everyone inherits it from their mother.
This makes it useful for tracing ancestry: Mitochondrial DNA analysis linked the remains to descendants of the royal family.
Specialized cell subunits
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- cristaeMitochondrial membrane infoldings
- nucleoidProkaryotic chromosome region
- ribosomesCellular translation machinery
proteins · enzymes · cellular respiration · respiration · bioenergetics · metabolism · genetic code · genome
Science of ancestral relationships
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
cladistics · homology · ancient DNA · Neanderthal · coalescence · migration patterns · genetic variation
Family line of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- family treeChart of ancestors
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- maternal lineAncestry traced through mothers
haplogroups · genetic testing · ethnic origins · migration routes · genetic genealogy
Genes from the mother
- matrilinealDescended through maternal line
- haplogroupsGenetic ancestry classifications
- haplotypeLinked genetic variants inherited together
- lineageDescent from progenitors
transmission · uniparental · genetic marker · germline · oocyte · egg cell · bottleneck · segregation
Permanent DNA alteration
- genetic testingAnalysis for inherited disorders
- prenatal diagnosisMedical assessment of fetus
- agingGrowing older over time
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
organelles
Specialized cell subunits
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- cristaeMitochondrial membrane infoldings
- nucleoidProkaryotic chromosome region
ribosomes · proteins · enzymes · cellular respiration · respiration · bioenergetics · metabolism · genetic code · genome · replication
phylogenetics
Science of ancestral relationships
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
genetic drift · cladistics · homology · ancient DNA · Neanderthal · coalescence · migration patterns · genetic variation
ancestry
Family line of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- family treeChart of ancestors
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
maternal line · haplogroups · genetic testing · ethnic origins · migration routes · genetic genealogy
maternal inheritance
Genes from the mother
- matrilinealDescended through maternal line
- haplogroupsGenetic ancestry classifications
- haplotypeLinked genetic variants inherited together
lineage · transmission · uniparental · genetic marker · germline · oocyte · egg cell · bottleneck · segregation
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- genetic testingAnalysis for inherited disorders
- prenatal diagnosisMedical assessment of fetus
- agingGrowing older over time
neurodegeneration · myopathy · cardiomyopathy · encephalopathy
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- hereditygenes, DNA, gene, chromosomes, genetics
- forensicsDNA, DNA analysis, fingerprints, forensics, criminalistics
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- DNA AnalysisDNA, DNA profiling, DNA testing, DNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting
- DNA ancestryancestry test, DNA test, DNA match, genetic genealogy, haplogroup