AR103 Chapter Notes -Allele Frequency, Genetic Drift, Gene Pool
14 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
Each mitochondrial contains several copies of a ring-shaped dna molecule, or chromosome. While mitochondrial dna (mtdna) is distinct from chromosomal dna, its molecular structure and functions are the same. The entire molecule has been sequenced and is known to contain around 40 genes that direct the conversion of energy within the cell. Like the dna in a cell"s nucleus, mtdna is subject to mutations, and some of these mutations cause certain genetic disorders that result from impaired energy conversion, Animals of both sexes inherit all their mtdna and mitochondrial traits from their traits. Meiosis and recombination don"t occur since mtdna is only inherited from only one parent. Meaning that all the variation in mtdna among individuals is caused by mutation, which makes mtdna extremely useful for studying genetic change over time. Merging of the two theories, darwin and wallace"s natural selection + mendelians mechanism for inheritance and the theory of mutation.
