Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research
Published on: June 7, 2024
Maternal transmission, sex ratio distortion, and mitochondria
Steve J Perlman1, Christina N Hodson2, Phineas T Hamilton2
1Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8P 5C2; Integrated Microbial Biodiversity Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1Z8; and stevep@uvic.ca.
Abstract:
In virtually all multicellular eukaryotes, mitochondria are transmitted exclusively through one parent, usually the mother. In this short review, we discuss some of the major consequences of uniparental transmission of mitochondria, including deleterious effects in males and selection for increased transmission through females. Many of these consequences, particularly sex ratio distortion, have well-studied parallels in other maternally transmitted genetic elements, such as bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods. We also discuss the consequences of linkage between mitochondria and other maternally transmitted genetic elements, including the role of cytonuclear incompatibilities in maintaining polymorphism. Finally, as a case study, we discuss a recently discovered maternally transmitted sex ratio distortion in an insect that is associated with extraordinarily divergent mitochondria.
Related Concept Videos
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
Meiosis vs. Mitosis
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction
Non-nuclear Inheritance

