MtDNA Stands for What

Question

mtDNA stands for what?
A) Mighty deoxyribonucleic acid
B) Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid
C) Molecular deoxyribonucleic acid
D) Marker deoxyribonucleic acid

Accepted Answer

mtDNA stands for mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid. This is genetic material that is found within the mitochondria of cells, which are small organelles that serve as the powerhouses of the cell. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents and varies greatly between individuals, mtDNA is only inherited from the mother and is relatively stable over time. Because of this, it can be useful for tracing maternal lineages and studying the history of human populations.