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
The genetic material researchers had retrieved was mitochondrial DNA, which, unlike nuclear DNA, is only inherited through the maternal line, providing an incomplete picture of an individual’s genomic ancestry.
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Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Still, many experts believe that mitochondrial DNA matches are insufficient to prove a suspect’s guilt, and that not enough of the sequences were published to enable a judgment.
—Literary Hub, 31 Oct. 2025
They were identified using mitochondrial DNA analysis and an analysis of proteins on the teeth, according to Asahi Shimbun and The Japan Times.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
In addition, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis and mitochondrial genome sequencing data to confirm his identity.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
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Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Still, many experts believe that mitochondrial DNA matches are insufficient to prove a suspect’s guilt, and that not enough of the sequences were published to enable a judgment.
—Literary Hub, 31 Oct. 2025
They were identified using mitochondrial DNA analysis and an analysis of proteins on the teeth, according to Asahi Shimbun and The Japan Times.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
In addition, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis and mitochondrial genome sequencing data to confirm his identity.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 6 Oct. 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 7 Jan. 2026.
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