What is MtDNA?
MtDNA is an abbreviation for mitochondrial DNA. MtDNA is found in the mitochondria of almost all of our cells. It is passed down to offspring only by their mother. This is because of its location in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is part of the egg in a female, and the sperm does not affect it.
MtDNA contains the genetic codes for thirty-seven genes in the human body. Thirteen of those genes are responsible for producing proteins, twenty-two hold the genetic code to produce transfer RNA, and two hold the the genetic code for producing Ribosomal RNA.
Below is what mtDNA looks like. MtDNA looks like a ladder, the sides of the ladder are the backbone of the mtDNA, and the steps of the ladder are made of nucleotide bases. The "ladder" is then twisted to form the mtDNA strand.