• Introduction to Molecular Genealogy
• Family Tree
• DNA Testing
• Your DNA
• Mitochondrial DNA
• Y Chromosome DNA
• Autosomal DNA
• X Chromosome DNA
• Haplogroups
• Mutation and Haplotypes
• Putting it all together
• How to use a DNA kit
• Understanding your results

Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondria are structures inside the cells of the body that are responsible for energy production. They contain their own DNA and replicate independently from the cell. Mitochondria are passed through a mother’s egg directly to both her sons and daughters. In turn, her daughter, but not her son, passes mitochondrial DNA to her children.

Because mitochondrial DNA is passed through the maternal line, from mother to child, it contains information about a person’s direct maternal ancestors (mother, mother’s mother, etc.). Since it also passes from generation to generation with very little change, mitochondrial DNA is a rich source of information for deep ancestry, going back hundreds or thousands of years.