Mitochondrial DNA can be used to trace matrilineal evolutionary history because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively from the mother to her offspring in a matrilineal pattern. As there is no recombination between male and female mitochondrial DNA, it is a powerful tool for tracing matrilineal evolutionary history. The Y chromosome, on the other hand, is passed exclusively from father to son, and while it can also provide insights into evolutionary history, it is not as useful for tracing matrilineal lines. Option A is incorrect because the Y chromosome actually has fewer mutations than mitochondrial DNA due to its lower mutation rate. Option B is incorrect because mitochondrial DNA actually accumulates mutations at a faster rate compared to nuclear DNA. Option D is incorrect, as mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from the mother and not both parents. Option E is incorrect because it is not impossible to analyze nuclear DNA due to meiosis, in fact, analyzing nuclear DNA has been done routinely in many fields of genetics research.

Mitochondrial DNA Can Be Used to Trace Matrilineal Evolutionary History