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.

Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA

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.
Animals

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.
Plants

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
1

Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2

Unity & Diversity - Cells

3

Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4

Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5

Form & Function - Molecules

6

Form & Function - Cells

7

Form & Function - Organisms

8

Form & Function - Ecosystems

9

Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10

Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11

Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12

Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1

Populations & Communities

12.2

Transfers of Energy & Matter

13

Continuity & Change - Molecules

14

Continuity & Change - Cells

15

Continuity & Change - Organisms

16

Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

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