What DNA Do Mothers Pass to Daughters? Understanding Maternal Inheritance

Discover how mothers pass mitochondrial DNA to daughters and its role in tracing maternal lineage.

0 views

Mothers pass mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to daughters. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents, mtDNA is exclusively passed down from mothers to their children. This type of DNA plays a crucial role in energy production within cells and is often used for tracing maternal lineage.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is mitochondrial DNA? Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a type of DNA passed exclusively from mother to child, crucial for energy production in cells.
  2. How does mtDNA differ from nuclear DNA? Unlike nuclear DNA inherited from both parents, mtDNA is passed down only from the mother, making it useful for tracing maternal ancestry.
  3. Why is mitochondrial DNA used in genealogy? Mitochondrial DNA is used in genealogy because it allows researchers to trace maternal lineage over generations.