Mitochondrial inheritance

Mitochondrial inheritance refers to how certain genes are passed down from mothers to their children through the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells. Unlike most genes, which come from both parents, mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother. This means that any mutations or traits in mitochondrial DNA will be shared by all her offspring, regardless of their sex. This type of inheritance is significant in studying certain genetic disorders and understanding familial patterns of disease, especially those affecting energy production in cells.