Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondrial DNA

A mitochondrion has multiple copies of its DNA and a typical cell has many mitochondria . As a result, cells usually have many copies – often thousands of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria DNA are randomly distributed to daughter cells during mitosis and meiosis.

The mitochondrial genome is distinct from the nuclear genome .The Mitochondrial DNA  contain genes that encodes 22 transfer RNAs, 13 messenger RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNAs. Although mitochondrial genes encode some messenger RNA that will be translated to protein, these organelles require nuclear encoded genes to perform their function.

Above Image is from National Human Genome Research Institute, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons