Mitochondrial DNA Test - Maternal Lineage DNA Testing

Mitochondrial DNA test is used to determine whether two or more people are related through their maternal lineage. Mitochondrial DNA passes without change (except for rare mutations) from mother to all children, sons and daughters, but only daughters pass it to the next generation. Thus, individuals who share the same maternal line will have the same Mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA Test can help in establishing biological relationships between people in an extended family, like maternal half-siblings, cousins, etc. However, it is important to note, that this test will not differentiate between two sisters as potential mothers since the two sisters have identical mitochondrial DNA.