West African mitochondrial DNA

West African mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) refers to the genetic material found in the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in our cells, specific to people from West Africa. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down from mothers to their children and can reveal insights about ancestry and migration patterns. Studies of West African mtDNA help scientists understand the genetic diversity of populations in that region and how historical events, such as the transatlantic slave trade, influenced genetic lineages. This research contributes to broader knowledge of human evolution and the connections between different populations worldwide.