A medical researcher is trying to determine if one of her patients is a long-lost descendant of Cleopatra. How could mitochondria help in the doctor's efforts?
A)The doctor can compare the nuclear DNA of her patient to the mitochondrial DNA of known Cleopatra descendants.
B)The doctor can compare the mitochondrial DNA of her patient to the nuclear DNA of known Cleopatra descendants.
C)The doctor can compare mitochondrial DNA from her patient and known Cleopatra descendants.
D)The doctor can compare the nuclear DNA of her patient's mitochondria to the nuclear DNA of known Cleopatra descendants.
E)The doctor can compare the nuclear DNA of her patient to the mitochondrial DNA of known Cleopatra descendants and the mitochondrial DNA of her patient to the nuclear DNA of known Cleopatra descendants.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondria are only passed down from the mother to her offspring, so comparing the mitochondrial DNA of the patient to that of known direct maternal descendants of Cleopatra would provide the most helpful information. Comparing nuclear DNA would not be as useful in tracing direct maternal lineage.

A Medical Researcher Is Trying to Determine If One of Her