Scientists use mitochondrial DNA to track the migration of humans across the planet.After a group migrates away from their ancestral homeland,any mutations that occur are not mixed with those left in the ancestral population.Based on this,mitochondrial DNA samples taken from ____ would have the most unique mutations,representing the most recent population to migrate to a new area.

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Mitochondrial DNA samples taken from the Americas would have the most unique mutations, representing the most recent population to migrate to a new area. The Americas were the last continent to be inhabited by humans, with the earliest evidence of human presence dating back to about 15,000 years ago. Therefore, the mitochondrial DNA samples taken from indigenous populations in the Americas would have accumulated the most mutations since their migration.

Scientists Use Mitochondrial DNA to Track the Migration of Humans