Question

Mitochondrial DNA is only passed down by the mother. Group of answer choices. True or False

Answer 1

The given statement is True.

Explanation -

The human cells consists of two types of DNA: one is nuclear DNA and other is mitochondrial DNA. The nuclear DNA is passed on the offsprings both by the mother and father with 50% and 50% contribution each. The gamete formed in female i.e., ova have haploid number of chromosome and also the mitochondrial DNA inside mitochondria. The sperm too have a mitochondria but is destroyed by the egg membrane during fertilisation. So, only the mother mitochondria is left in the fertilised egg and it is passed on to the offspring. The mitochondria has the mitochondrial DNA and thus only the mother mitochondrial DNA is left on the offspring.