Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondria DNA is a structure that is found within the cell that converts energy found in food to a form the cell can use. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, which are found in the fluid that surrounds the nucleus.
The video above is a diagram on how the mtDNA is transferred
Mitochondrial DNA is typically diagrammed as a circular structure with genes and regulatory regions labeled.
(picture below)
(picture below)
Mitochondrial DNA contains 37 genes, all are essential for a normal mitochondrial function, thirteen of these genes provide instructions for making enzymes. Enzymes are involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Oxidative phosphorylation is a process that uses oxygen and simple sugars to make adenosine triphosphate, the cells's main energy source. The remaining genes give instructions for making molecules called transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA, which are related chemicals of DNA. These types of RNA help gather protein building blocks
Mitochondrial genes are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.
Mitochondrial genes are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.