Genetic Diversity
Evidence:
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Mitochondrial DNA
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Y chromosomal DNA
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Linkage disequilibrium
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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
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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
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Last Modified June 21, 2006