Mitochondrial DNA is like a tiny instruction manual that helps our bodies make energy from the food we eat. This manual is only found in the mitochondria, which is like a little power plant inside our cells.
Unlike the rest of our DNA, which comes from both our parents, mitochondrial DNA only comes from our mom. This is because when a baby is being made, the egg that the sperm fertilizes already has its own mitochondria with DNA inside.
Scientists like to study mitochondrial DNA because it can tell us more about our ancestries and how we evolved over time. By looking at slight differences in the DNA of different people, scientists can track how populations moved across the globe and how they intermixed with each other.
The mitochondrial DNA journal is a special kind of book where scientists share their findings and discoveries about mitochondrial DNA with each other. It's like sending letters to your friends but instead of talking about your day, you're sharing cool new things you learned about how our bodies work.