March 5th, 1938: American biologist Lynn Margulis was born. Her widespread contributions rewrote our understanding of early life and her ideas were so radical they were rejected and ignore for a decade before she was vindicated.
It’s thanks to Dr. Margulis that we understand why the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell!
New research provides insight about the bedrock scientific principle that mitochondrial DNA—the distinct genetic code embedded in the organelle that serves as the powerplant of every cell in the body—is exclusively passed down by the mother.
The study, a collaboration among Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions, has been published in the journal Nature Genetics.
Scientists have long recognized the fact that mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, comes exclusively from egg cells in humans, meaning only the mother contributes the genetic code carried by thousands of mitochondria necessary for energy production in every cell in the body.
Previously, it was believed that paternal mtDNA was eliminated soon after a sperm fuses with an oocyte, or developing egg, during fertilization, possibly through an immune-like search-and-destroy response.
However, the study found that while mature sperm do carry a small number of mitochondria, they lack intact mtDNA.