These past few weeks, I have written about many different genetic disorders and risk factors that stem from inherited errors in the DNA or mistakes in the division of chromosomes. But this week, I want to pivot a bit to talk about disorders that originate in a special form of DNA called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Most of the DNA in your cells is housed within the nucleus, a central organelle (literally “little organ”—organelles are the “organs” of your cell with their own specific function). The nucleus keeps the DNA separate from all of the enzymes and chemical reactions of the…
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