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Related Concept Videos

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
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Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death.  Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
07:24

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing

Published on: February 10, 2023

Is mitochondrial DNA a strictly neutral marker?

J W Ballard1, M Kreitman

  • 1William Ballard is at The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evolution may not follow simple neutral models. Forces like selection and hitchhiking, similar to nuclear DNA, can influence mtDNA variation and evolution.

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

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High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution

Published on: May 5, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Evolution
  • Genomics
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evolution is often modeled using neutral mutation rates.
  • This model assumes equilibrium and constant mutation rates.
  • Recent findings challenge these assumptions, suggesting more complex evolutionary forces at play.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the limitations of the neutral mutation rate model for mtDNA evolution.
  • To explore the influence of various evolutionary forces on mtDNA sequence variation.
  • To advocate for the incorporation of statistical tests in mtDNA evolutionary studies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent evidence challenging the neutral model.
  • Identification of evolutionary forces acting on the mitochondrial genome.
  • Discussion of statistical approaches for analyzing mtDNA variation.

Main Results:

  • The assumptions of the neutral equilibrium model are frequently violated for mtDNA.
  • Mitochondrial genomes are subject to forces like genetic hitchhiking and selection.
  • Unique evolutionary pressures may also affect mtDNA, distinct from nuclear DNA.

Conclusions:

  • Standard neutral models are insufficient for explaining mtDNA variation.
  • Evolutionary studies of mtDNA should account for selection and hitchhiking.
  • Statistical analyses are crucial for understanding the forces shaping mtDNA sequence evolution.