Where is mitochondrial DNA found in human cells?
Quick Answer
Mitochondrial DNA is found inside mitochondria, the cell's energy-producing organelles. Humans have many copies per cell, especially in energy-demanding tissues.
The Full Story
Mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, is located in the mitochondria rather than the nucleus. Each mitochondrion can contain multiple copies of this small circular genome, which helps code for proteins involved in energy production. Because cells can contain many mitochondria, mtDNA is present in far higher copy numbers than nuclear DNA. This is one reason genetic tests can sometimes recover mtDNA from old or degraded samples more easily than nuclear DNA.
Key Facts
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"A tiny genome lives in the power plants of your cells."
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