ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroups

Okay kiddo, so every living thing has something called DNA inside of them. DNA is like a blueprint that tells our body how to grow and work properly.

Now, humans have something called mitochondrial DNA, which is a special type of DNA that only comes from our moms. It's like a small part of our regular DNA, but it's special because it helps our cells make energy. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down through generations from moms to their children.

Sometimes scientists group people together based on their mitochondrial DNA to see if they have similar traits or come from the same family tree. These groups are called mitochondrial DNA haplogroups.

Think about it like this: it's kind of like how you might have a family reunion with all your cousins, aunts, and uncles. Everyone there is part of your family tree just like how everyone in a mitochondrial DNA haplogroup shares a family tree too.

Scientists look at the differences and similarities between mitochondrial DNA from different people, and put them into different haplogroups based on those differences.

So, mitochondrial DNA haplogroups help us understand how we are related to other people, where our ancestors came from, and what traits we might share because of our family tree.