Chapter D, Problem 12P

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Nine base pair deletion in the genome of mitochondria between the cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene and ${\text{tRNA}}^{\text{Lys}}$ gene is a common polymorphism among Polynesians and also in a population of Taiwanese inhabitants. Polymorphic mitochondria frequency differs between populations: in the Maoris of New Zealand $\left(\text{98\%}\right)$ highest frequency is observed, in eastern Polynesia $\left(80\%\right)$ and western Polynesia $\left(89\%\right)$ lower levels of frequencies are observed and in the Taiwanese population. Explain the idea which these frequencies describe about the settlement of the Pacific by the ancestors of present $\text{-}$ day Polynesians.

Introduction:

The examination of variations in genome of mitochondria in human populations gives us an idea about the journey of human ancestors throughout the world (out of Africa).The variation pattern of mitochondrial DNA indicates the African origin and journey of modern humans throughout the world.