Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA, the genetic material found inside the mitochondria within our cells, is essential for normal mitochondrial function. Human mitochondrial DNA follows a maternal inheritance pattern, meaning that each individual receives it from their mother (“What is Mitochondrial DNA? – Genetics Home Reference,” 2017). This inheritance pattern, along with the presence of polymorphisms within the mitochondrial DNA between populations allowed us to determine when and where our maternal linage arose. In this experiment, our genomic DNA was isolated from cheek cells and then quantified using a Nanodrop before running a PCR reaction to ensure an adequate amount of genetic material was present. A PCR reaction was then run to amplify a hypervariable region of our mitochondrial DNA. We then ran an agarose gel-electrophoresis test to ensure that the PCR reaction was successful in amplifying our mitochondrial DNA. The PCR product was cleaned to guarantee that there was a pure DNA product. Our mitochondrial DNA was then sent out be sequenced to a) determine our ancestral lineage on our maternal
There are several major haplogroup types that define different populations. From Africa came L0, L1, L2, and L3 haplogroups. Haplogroups M and N arose from the L3 line, and these populations migrated. The haplogroup M lineage can be found in Asia and gave rise to lineages C, D, G, Q, and Z, while the haplogroup N lineage predominantly moved to Europe, and gave rise to haplogroup A, I, W, X, and R. R eventually became the root of European haplogroups B, F, H, J, T, U, and P . While these account for the major haplogroup types, there are also a plethora of sub-haplogroups that have arisen from each major haplogroup type (Stewart & Chinnery,
Paabo’s team discovered an mtDNA sequence from a finger bone they found from around 40,000 years ago, as carbon dating is one of the most commonly used methods of determining a fossil’s age. (Hammer, 70). Also, Neanderthal mtDNA is differs severely from modern human mtDNA. For example, Microcephalin is a gene for brain size during the development of the organism.
The study of Alu elements, such as the one found on the PV92 locus are of extreme importance for numerous reasons. Alu inserts have played a significant role in advancing the study of human evolution. For example, the analysis of specific polymorphic inserts has led some researchers to postulate that the divergence between primates and Homo sapiens was initiated in Africa, giving rise to the “Out of Africa” theory (Batzer, et al. 1994). Contrarily, others believe that the deviation arose from multiple regions from occurring mutations. Additionally, Alu elements are also speculated to have played a significant role in accelerating speciation in vertebrates by acting as a source of new mutations (Bohne, Brunet, Galiana-Arnoux, Schultheis & Volff, 2008), but further research is needed to confirm or refute these hypotheses.
The samples of DNA were obtained by plucking individual hairs from students' heads and using the PCR device to replicate. the DNA from the roots of the hair. The replicated DNA samples were then placed into the electrophoresis gel and the device was turned on. Using the methods discussed above we found that three of the fourteen samples, 21%, were homozygous and the remaining eleven samples. 79% were heterozygous in their ancestors.
Vigilant, Linda. Stoneking, Mark. Harpending, Henry. et al. 1991. African Populations and Evolution of Human Mitochondrial DNA. Science 253: 1503-1507.
...G.E., Ioannou P.A., Scheer W.D., Herrera R.J. et al. 1994. Africa origin of human-specific polymorphic Alu insertions. Evolution Vol. 91: pp 12288-12292
Myers, provider of source material for Edie Heydt's notes from "Human Origins," fall 1997, Alfred. Much of the material in the notes is paraphrased, and the original information sources are unknown.
contains mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), completely intact. Mitochondrial DNA is tougher than the DNA found in cell nuclei; it is also found in the cytoplasm of a fertilized egg and is passed only through maternal lineage. This makes it much easier for the team to study and makes testing more accurate. Paabo’s team, from Leipzig, Germany, used a method of amino acid content as a way of measuring extractible DNA from the bones. The amino acid method was a means for testing the DNA content in the fossils.... ...
In 1758 a Swedish botanist named Carolus Linnaeus established the classification system still in use for various forms of life. He listed four categories that he labeled as "varieties" of the human species. To each he attributed inherited biological as well as learned cultural characteristics. He described Homo European as light-skinned, blond, and governed by laws; Homo American was copper-colored and was regulated by customs; Homo Asiatic was sooty and dark-eyed and governed by opinions; Homo African was black and indolent and governed by impulse. We can in retrospect recognize the ethnocentric assumptions involved in these descriptions, which imply a descending order of prestige. Most striking is the labeling of the four varieties as governed by laws, customs, opinions, and impulse, with Europeans on the top and Africans at the bottom. In fact, different populations within all four varieties would have had all four forms of behavior. (8).
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an acclaimed extraordinary discovery that has contributed great benefits in several fields throughout the world. DNA evidence is accounted for in the majority of cases presented in the criminal justice system. It is known as our very own unique genetic fingerprint; “a chromosome molecule which carries genetic coding unique to each person with the only exception of identical twins (that is why it is also called 'DNA fingerprinting ')” (Duhaime, n.d.). DNA is found in the nuclei of cells of nearly all living things.
The literature does provide evidence for my hypothesis and also provides a clearer picture as to how frequent and to what extent the interbreeding is believed to occur. Examining these articles will introduce the new findin...
If they had only recessive genes, there would be no dark eyed, haired or skinned people. This leads to the conclusion that all people have a black ancestor. This is backed up by the well-accepted idea that Africa was the starting place of humanity. As African species travelled north to Europe they made the previous inhabitants extinct.
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Museum, S. (2014). What is DNA profiling?. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/whoami/findoutmore/yourgenes/whydoscientistsstudygenes/whatisdnaprofiling.aspx [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014].
The scientific and medical progress of DNA as been emense, from involving the identification of our genes that trigger major diseases or the creation and manufacture of drugs to treat these diseases. DNA has many significant uses to society, health and culture of today. One important area of DNA research is that used for genetic and medical research. Our abi...
Taking the theory of paternal mtDNA leakage during embryogenesis into account, the process of embryogenesis needs to be studied. Embryogenesis is the formation and development of embryos where after the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the sperm mitochondria enter the egg cell. Here in the egg is where the sperm mitochondria are outnumbered by the maternal mitochondria and are killed through a mechanism that identify the ubiquitin sperm are tagged with. Thus paternal mitochondria do not transmit to further cell stages of embryo development and mtDNA is solely believed to be maternal in inheritance. Taking the case study into account, the question that is raised is how paternal inheritance of mtDNA could have occurred if embryogenesis prevents it. Therefore, the further research in recombination of mtDNA can be conducted to see if mtDNA can be similar to nuclear DNA, where mtDNA can be incorporated or fused from many sources (Bromham et al 2002).