mitochondrial DNA
noun
: an extranuclear double-stranded DNA found exclusively in mitochondria that in most eukaryotes is a circular molecule and is maternally inherited
—abbreviation mtDNA
Examples of mitochondrial DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1984, researchers detected traces of mitochondrial DNA in the skin of a taxidermied quagga in a museum.
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D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Researchers studied mammoth mitochondrial DNA from as far back as 1.3 million years, with the most recent based on genetic material from a relatively recent mammoth from about 125,000 years ago.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Scientists conducted dental and anthropological analyses and mitochondrial DNA analysis, the DPAA said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Using dental and mitochondrial DNA analysis, scientists there were able to identify Tennyson’s remains.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
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D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Researchers studied mammoth mitochondrial DNA from as far back as 1.3 million years, with the most recent based on genetic material from a relatively recent mammoth from about 125,000 years ago.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Scientists conducted dental and anthropological analyses and mitochondrial DNA analysis, the DPAA said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Using dental and mitochondrial DNA analysis, scientists there were able to identify Tennyson’s remains.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mitochondrial DNA
Cite this Entry
“Mitochondrial DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mitochondrial%20DNA. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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