Mitochondrial genome

Topic

The mitochondrial genome is the genetic material located within the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of eukaryotic cells. Typically circular and much smaller than the nuclear genome, it encodes essential proteins for the electron transport chain, as well as transfer RNAs and ribosomal RNAs necessary for their translation. In most multicellular organisms, the mitochondrial genome is inherited maternally and exhibits a higher mutation rate than nuclear DNA.