๐Ÿงฌap biology review

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

DNA found in mitochondria that is inherited maternally and used to study evolutionary relationships among organisms due to its high mutation rate and maternal inheritance pattern.

AP course connection

Topic 7.9: 7.9 Phylogeny

Unit 7

"Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)" also found in:

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