How is MtDNA inherited and how is it used in DNA testing?
In relationship to DNA testing, inheritance patterns of MtDNA are very important. MtDNA is present in both males and females; however, it is only females that pass it on to their offspring. In genetic testing an MtDNA test is a relationship DNA test which can reliably establish whether people share a common maternal line. The test may be used to establish whether two siblings share the same biological mother or simply to tell you whether there is a common maternal ancestor. Thus, this MtDNA is a very valuable tool for genealogists to draw up family trees and the genetic origins of people.
