posted on Feb, 3 2011 @ 12:00 PM
There are several sources of DNA and RNA inside cells. The chromosomes are where the DNA is stored in the form of genes that determine how tall we
are, what color our eyes are, etc, and these are always found in the nucleus of the cell. However, other sources of DNA and RNA within the cell,
known as non-nuclear DNA/RNA, and these are needed for routine cellular functions. BUT the story doesn't end there.
The unique aspect is that mothers can pass non-nuclear DNA/RNA that has NO INPUT from the father of the child. Thus, we can do genome testing on the
nuclear DNA to see what the parents passed to the patient, but by testing the non-nuclear DNA, we can tell information of the mother only!
This is not only important for forensics, but it better allows for evaluation of previous generations, because mothers gave this to daughters for
generations, regardless of who the father was.