Mitochondrial DNA Amplification

Part 1: Introduction

Aside from normal cellular DNA, there is a type called "mitochondrial DNA," or mtDNA. It contains only 37 genes, instead of 46. The purpose of this DNA is to code for mitochondria to produce energy and store it in the form of ATP.

This is very significant, because using this mtDNA, we can trace back lineage -- as it is only inherited by the mother -- to many generations back. Scientists are believed to have used this technology to trace the "mitochondrial Eve," the common ancestor of the modern human race, in Africa about 200,000 years ago. This technology is also useful for creating family trees, identifying family ties, and identifying remains.Mitochondrial DNA is the easiest to extract, as it is very, very amplified already in each cell, so it can even be found in dead cells; a lot more easily than non-mitochondrial cellular DNA.

Part 2: Experiment

In this lab, we will be finding our own mitochondrial DNA. The process is almost exactly the same as the last one, so for detailed instructions, please refer to the last lab intro. The difference between the last one and this one is that we will be using different primers to find the mtDNA.