Human diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial genomes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother, so mutations in mitochondrial genomes are also solely inherited from the mother. This is because the egg cell contributes the majority of the cytoplasm, including the mitochondria, to the developing embryo, while the sperm cell's mitochondria are typically destroyed after fertilization. Therefore, any mitochondrial mutations carried by the mother will be passed down to her offspring.

Human Diseases Caused by Mutations in Mitochondrial Genomes