Alleles for genes located on mitochondrial DNA are said to be maternally inherited.What is the explanation for this pattern of inheritance?
A) The egg and sperm contribute equal numbers of cytoplasmic organelles to the zygote.
B) The egg contributes virtually all of the cytoplasmic organelles to the zygote.
C) Half of the nuclear chromosomes in the zygote come from the father.
D) Half of the nuclear chromosomes in the zygote come from the mother.
E) All of the nuclear chromosomes in the zygote come from the mother.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA is located in the cytoplasm of the cell and is only present in the egg cell. Sperm cells do not contribute mitochondrial DNA to the zygote, so the mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from the mother. Therefore, alleles for genes located on mitochondrial DNA are said to be maternally inherited.

Alleles for Genes Located on Mitochondrial DNA Are Said to Be