DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is a molecule made up of two chains that coil around each other, forming a double helix that carries the instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all humans.

Mitochondrial DNA (MTDNA) is passed from a mother to her children.  Only a mother’s daughter passes her MTDNA to her children.  The sons do not pass on a mother’s MTDNA to their children. Our mother’s MTDNA gives life to every cell in our bodies.  An MTDNA test provides a male or a female with their MTDNA haplogroup and the ancestral origins of the direct female line.  A MTDNA test will match a child to their mother’s MTDNA haplogroup and if combined with an autosomal DNA test will provide cousin matches and shared ancestors to help adoptees to find their birth family. 

Y Chromosome (called YDNA) is passed from a father to his sons and not to his daughters.  A YDNA test will match a male to his father’s male line and if combined with an autosomal DNA test will provide cousin matches and shared ancestors to help adoptees find their birth family