What is Mitochondrial DNA?

Mitochondrial DNA is the genetic material in mitochondria. Mitochondria can generate energy (ATP) for cells. It is a special form of DNA found in the mitochondria of cells. Mitochondria are organelles that provide cells with energy (ATP). There are usually multiple DNA molecules in a mitochondria.

Compared with the nuclear genome, the mitochondrial genome has the following properties:

All genes are located on a single circular DNA molecule.

The genetic material is not covered by the nuclear membrane.

DNA is not compressed by proteins.

The genome does not contain that many noncoding regions (regulatory regions or "introns").

Some codons are different from universal codons. Instead, it is similar to some purple non-sulfur bacteria.

Some bases are part of two different genes (overlapping genes): one base acts as the end of one gene, and the beginning of the next.

Mitochondrial DNA lives much longer than DNA and is inherited from the mother, so it is ideal for confirming family relationships.