Personal Genome Project Study Guide

Part I: Genetic Material
Lesson 1: Introduction to Cells, DNA, and Genes

Mitochondria are tiny, almost cell-like structures in the cytoplasm of cells. Mitochondria produce energy for cell functions. They have a small amount of DNA in the form of mitochondrial genes.

Only a tiny fraction of human DNA is found in mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only from mother to child, because the child only inherits its mother's and not its father's mitochondria. Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA sequence can be used to determine maternal lineage.


	Personal Genome Project Study Guide

			Part I: Genetic Material Lesson 1: Introduction to Cells, DNA, and Genes Mitochondria are tiny, almost cell-like structures in the cytoplasm of cells. Mitochondria produce energy for cell functions. They have a small amount of DNA in the form of mitochondrial genes. Only a tiny fraction of human DNA is found in mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only from mother to child, because the child only inherits its mother's and not its father's mitochondria. Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA sequence can be used to determine maternal lineage.