Criminology

Question

Why is mitochondrial DNA linked specifically to the mother of a subject (or the female side)? Also I hear a lot about PCR tests in DNA testing, Does PCR mean Polymerase chain reaction? I learned about that years ago in a microbiology class and for some reason it has stayed with me. I understand it to mean that given a very small sample it can be duplicated many times to give a researcher enough to research the sample.

Answer

<P>Greetings!</P> <P>Thank you for submitting your question to AskNSDL. I apologize for the delay. It appears that none of our experts were able to respond to your question. They are all volunteers, and schedules can be very busy.<BR><BR>I am a librarian and searched for information that provides answers to your questions.</P> <P>I entered my queries in MedlinePlus, <A href=http://medlineplus.gov">http://medlineplus.gov</A>, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.</P> <P>I typed "mitochondrial DNA" in the search box. Here are two resources that I think will be helpful.</P> <P>"What are the different ways in which a genetic condition can be inherited?" in <U>Genetics Home Reference</U>. This resources provides information on mitochondrial inheritance, also known as maternal inheritance."<BR><A href=http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/info=inheritance/show/inheritance_patterns">http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/info=inheritance/show/inheritance_patterns</A></P> <P>"Facts about Mitochondrial Myopathies: "Does It Run in Families" - This piece discusses the relation between inheritance from females and males.<BR><A href=http://www.mdausa.org/publications/mitochondrial_myopathies.html#doesit">http://www.mdausa.org/publications/mitochondrial_myopathies.html#doesit</A></P> <P>I looked up "PCR" in the <U>Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary,</U> <A href=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html</A>, which is available through MedlinePlus. Click the tab at the top of the page. Yes, "PCR" does stand for "polymerase chain reaction."<BR><A href=http://www2.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwmednlm?book=Medical&amp;va=pcr">http://www2.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwmednlm?book=Medical&amp;va=pcr</A></P> <P>For information regarding "polymerase chain reactions," I searched <U>Genetics Home Reference</U> again.</P> <P>"Polymerase chain reactions" (May 20, 2005) - Entry gives a brief definition of the procedure. There are links to more resources on <EM>Gene Tests</EM>.<BR><A href=http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ghr/glossary/polymerasechainreactionpcr">http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ghr/glossary/polymerasechainreactionpcr</A></P> <P>I hope this information helps.&nbsp; Again, I'm sorry for the delay.&nbsp; If you would still like an answer from one of AskNSDL's scientists, please feel free to resubmit your question. If you do, I suggest that you change the category from "Criminology" to "Biological and Life Sciences" or "Health" in order to reach more experts. Your library is also a good center for resources and materials in Health and Science.</P> <P>Best wishes,<BR>Joyce Wheatley, M.S., M.L.S.<BR>AskNSDL staff</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/info=inheritance/show/inheritance_patterns http://www.mdausa.org/publications/mitochondrial_myopathies.html#doesit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html http://www2.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwmednlm?book=Medical&va=pcr http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ghr/glossary/polymerasechainreactionpcr maternal inheritance<BR>mitochondrial DNA<BR>PCR<BR>polymerase chain reaction http://vrd.askvrd.org/services/answerschema.xml