15.1.1

Non-Nuclear Inheritance

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Non-Nuclear Inheritance

Some phenotypes result from non-nuclear inheritance, which includes mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.

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Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA

  • Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA.
  • The DNA is circular and each mitochondrion or chloroplast has many copies of its DNA.
  • During meiosis, chloroplasts and mitochondria are randomly assigned to the gamete daughter cells.
    • This means the phenotypes controlled by mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns.
  • Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA is only ever passed from one parent.
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Animals

  • Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited in animals.
    • This means the mitochondria in a fertilized zygote come from the ovum and not the sperm.
  • Genetic disorders such a Kearns-Sayre syndrome are caused by mitochondrial mutations.
    • Such syndromes are transmitted from affected mothers to any offspring.
    • Paternal mitochondrial mutations are not passed on.
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Plants

  • Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA is also maternally inherited in plants.
    • Mitochondria and chloroplasts are transmitted in the ovule and not the pollen.

Jump to other topics

1Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2Unity & Diversity - Cells

3Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5Form & Function - Molecules

6Form & Function - Cells

7Form & Function - Organisms

8Form & Function - Ecosystems

9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1Populations & Communities

12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter

13Continuity & Change - Molecules

14Continuity & Change - Cells

15Continuity & Change - Organisms

16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

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