Intro to Paleoanthropology
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the genetic material found in mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells. Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA is inherited exclusively from the mother and plays a crucial role in tracing maternal lineage and studying evolutionary relationships among species. This unique inheritance pattern and its relatively high mutation rate make mtDNA a valuable tool in paleoanthropology for understanding human origins and migrations.
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