mitochondrial-DNA

views updated Jun 27 2018

mitochondrial-DNA (mt-DNA) Circular DNA that is found in mitochondria. It is entirely independent of nuclear DNA and, with very few exceptions, is transmitted from females to their offspring with no contribution from the male parent. Mitochondrial-DNA codes for specific RNA components of ribosomes that are unique to those organelles. It also codes for some of the respiratory enzymes found in mitochondria.

mitochondrial-DNA

views updated May 21 2018

mitochondrial-DNA (mt-DNA) Circular DNA that is found in mitochondria. It is entirely independent of nuclear DNA and, with very few exceptions, is transmitted from females to their offspring with no contribution from the male parent. Mitochondrial-DNA codes for specific RNA components of ribosomes that are unique to those organelles. It also codes for some of the respiratory enzymes found in mitochondria. Unlike animal mt-DNA, plant mt-DNA evolves very slowly and is capable of breaking into tripartate structures which can recombine.

mitochondrial-DNA

views updated Jun 08 2018

mitochondrial-DNA (mt-DNA) Circular DNA that is found in mitochondria. It is entirely independent of nuclear DNA and, with very few exceptions, is transmitted from females to their offspring with no contribution from the male parent. Mitochondrial-DNA codes for specific RNA components of ribosomes that are unique to those organelles. It also codes for some of the respiratory enzymes found in mitochondria.

mitochondrial-DNA

views updated May 08 2018

mitochondrial-DNA (mt-DNA) Circular DNA that is found in mitochondria. It is entirely independent of nuclear DNA and, with very few exceptions, is transmitted from females to their offspring with no contribution from the male parent.

More From encyclopedia.com