Genetic Diversity

Evidence:

  • Mitochondrial DNA

  • Y chromosomal DNA

  • Linkage disequilibrium

  • Microsatellites

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Slide 26 of 109


Scientists use several different tools to examine human genetic diversity. Most of these tools involve genetic sequences that are not subject to recombination, which would complicate the analysis of the data.


Definitions

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Male sperm contribute only genetic material and no cellular organelles. Therefore, all mtDNA comes from the egg, being passed down exclusively by females.
Y chromosomal DNA
A small chromosome that determines the sex of an individual. Embryos that posses a Y chromosome become male. Therefore, the genetic information on the Y chromosome is passed down only by males.
Linkage disequilibrium
The non-random association of alleles at different loci (or regions within DNA sequences), not expected from the law of independent assortment.
Microsatellites
Microsatellites" are loci where short sequences of DNA are repeated in tandem arrays (one right after the other).

References

  1. Lynn B. Jorde, L.B., et al. 1997. Microsatellite diversity and the demographic history of modern humans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 3100-3103


Last Modified June 21, 2006