The basics about Mitochondrial DNA inheritance and uses for genealogy

The mitochondrial DNA is a type of genetic test that is used to learn more about the mother's side of the family as mitochondrial DNA (also known as mother-DNA) is transmitted from the mother to her children. In this article we will see how the mitochondrial DNA testing is done, what he is used to the differences and testing of nuclear DNA.

DNA mitochondrial DNA is found in the mitochondria of cells and differs from nuclear DNA. The nuclear DNA is a combination of mother, father and DNA, while mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother. When the egg from the mother and sperm from the father join to form the new baby of the tail of the sperm that contains the father of mitochondrial DNA are left out and the fact that the mother of mitochondrial DNA is transmitted to the child.

Like nuclear DNA testing mitochondrial DNA testing is done by first collecting a DNA sample either through a blood sample or through a cheek swab, the cheek swab is the best method. These samples are then sent to laboratories that are testing mitochondrial DNA, in turn, and they analyze the results.

Mitochondrial DNA testing is used for a number of reasons - the first is to establish a direct link to the mother's family on the side of the family, it can also be used in ' ancestry DNA testing to verify the mother descent or forensic DNA testing.

In the 1980's, Dr. Mary-Claire King has also started using mitochondrial DNA to solve cases where a child's parents are unknown. She used a section on mitochondrial DNA which vary considerably and have provided evidence of the mother or grandmother had. Because mitochondrial DNA is passed directly from mother to child through the generations, maternal uncles and aunts should also contain mitochondrial DNA matching that of a child whose parents disappeared, and so if the maternal grandmother can not be found, it is possible to try matching the child with an aunt or uncle.

In conclusion, mitochondrial DNA testing involves testing of mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mother to child through the generations, and therefore can be used both to make match a child with his maternal grandmother, aunt or uncle, if the mother is absent, but also can be used DNA testing in the side maternal ancestry.