http://www.lifemapdna.com/what-are-three-ways-mitochondrial-dna-is-used-in-society-today.html Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:10:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.lifemapdna.com/what-are-three-ways-mitochondrial-dna-is-used-in-society-today.html/comment-page-1#comment-1411 ss89 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:55:00 +0000 http://www.lifemapdna.com/what-are-three-ways-mitochondrial-dna-is-used-in-society-today.html#comment-1411 One thing that mitochondrial DNA is used for is to trace ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA doesn't change much and is only passed down through the maternal line. One thing that mitochondrial DNA is used for is to trace ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA doesn’t change much and is only passed down through the maternal line.

]]> http://www.lifemapdna.com/what-are-three-ways-mitochondrial-dna-is-used-in-society-today.html/comment-page-1#comment-1410 careerstudent22 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:54:59 +0000 http://www.lifemapdna.com/what-are-three-ways-mitochondrial-dna-is-used-in-society-today.html#comment-1410 Mitochondrial DNA is quite interesting. Yes, it is used to track ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA (and the Y chromosome in men) are the only "pure" parts of the human genome, as a person's nuclear DNA is a mix of both of their parent's genetic info. Mitochondrial DNA is being used to determine which "haplogroup", or branch of the evolutionary tree you belong to. Mitochondrial DNA has helped in tracing our genetic "Adam and Eve" back to Africa. Also, it can be used to identify bodies when there is no DNA sample of the suspected deceased available. Mitochondrial DNA can be extracted from a body and compared to a living maternal relative. The remains of the Russian Royal family and victims at the World Trade Center were identified this way. Any time that a DNA sample cannot be obtained from a person of interest, whether to identify a body or determine the perpetrator of a crime, mitochondrial DNA can be helpful, as long as there is a maternal family member available from whom to obtain a sample. Mitochondrial DNA is quite interesting. Yes, it is used to track ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA (and the Y chromosome in men) are the only "pure" parts of the human genome, as a person’s nuclear DNA is a mix of both of their parent’s genetic info. Mitochondrial DNA is being used to determine which "haplogroup", or branch of the evolutionary tree you belong to. Mitochondrial DNA has helped in tracing our genetic "Adam and Eve" back to Africa.
Also, it can be used to identify bodies when there is no DNA sample of the suspected deceased available. Mitochondrial DNA can be extracted from a body and compared to a living maternal relative. The remains of the Russian Royal family and victims at the World Trade Center were identified this way.
Any time that a DNA sample cannot be obtained from a person of interest, whether to identify a body or determine the perpetrator of a crime, mitochondrial DNA can be helpful, as long as there is a maternal family member available from whom to obtain a sample.

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