Nuclear DNA

Nuclear DNA, also called nDNA, is nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid. It is DNA contained within a nucleus of all living things. In most cases it is passed sexually rather than maternally. nDNA is the most common DNA used in forensic examinations. Of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in your body, 22 pairs are of nuclear DNA.

On the other hand, some of the individual’s chromosomes will have experienced crossing over during meiosis, thereby resulting in mixed chromosomes. Meiosis is the stage during which two-part cell division occurs in organisms that reproduce sexually. During this stage, cell division results in gametes that have half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.

Unlike mitochondrial DNA, which is an exact replica of the DNA of the individual’s mother, nDNA does not provide a genetic profile that establishes a direct link between an individual and his parents. This makes nDNA a less clear-cut tool in establishing the biological relationships between the remains found of different individuals in archaeological excavations. In addition, nDNA is more difficult to obtain than mtDNA, because nDNA is found in lower quantities.

mtDNA is preferred to nuclear DNA when conducting DNA analysis of ancient human remains discovered during archaeological excavations, because it provides experts with a higher level of accuracy when creating an individual’s DNA profile and when comparing this profile to those of potential relations. Autosomal DNA Testing is for your Nuclear DNA.

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