Haplogroups

Haplogroup

• A human haplogroup is a group of people that share a common ancestor. We determine this based on the group sharing a particular genetic mutation.

Haplogroups

• As a haplogroup only share one particular ancestor, it is possible for people of the same haplogroup to look very physically different from one another.

Crossing over in homologous chromosomes

The X and Y Chromosome

Y-chromosome

• The Y chromosome is inherited virtually unchanged from father to son. In other words, a male’s Y chromosome is the same as his father’s father’s father’s father. The only differences that emerge are from random mutations.

The Y-Chromosome

Mitochondrial DNA

• Mitochondrial DNA is a separate set of DNA inherited only from our mothers. It is passed down to sons and daughters…but only daughters pass it on to the next generation.

Mitochondrial DNA

The Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA

• The Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA are used to group people into haplogroups…which can give us clues as to when and where different groups migrated.