Did You Know!
Mitochondrial Disorders Are Passed Down Almost Exclusively Through Mothers
Unlike most genetic disorders, diseases caused by faulty mitochondria follow a unique inheritance pattern.
Mitochondria—the tiny “power plants” inside nearly every human cell—have their own DNA, separate from the DNA found in the cell nucleus. Because sperm contribute almost no mitochondria during fertilization, mitochondrial DNA is inherited almost entirely from the mother.
When mitochondrial DNA is defective, cells that require large amounts of energy—such as brain, heart, muscle, and nerve cells—are often affected first.
Interesting fact: More than 90% of your body’s energy is produced by mitochondria, making mitochondrial disorders some of the body’s most complex diseases.
