mtDNA J1c5

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Test for Females mtDNA, or mitochondrial DNA, is the small circular DNA found in the mitochondria — the energy-producing structures within cells. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents, mtDNA is inherited exclusively from the mother, making it a powerful tool for tracing maternal ancestry. Key Features of mtDNA

• Location: Inside mitochondria, not the cell nucleus.
• Structure: Circular and much smaller than nuclear DNA (about 16,569 base pairs in humans).
• Inheritance: Passed from mother to all her children, but only daughters pass it on.
• No recombination: mtDNA changes only through mutations over generations, allowing clear maternal lineage tracing.
• Used in:  
  • Genetic genealogy (e.g., identifying maternal haplogroups).
  • Anthropological studies (e.g., human migration patterns).
  • Forensics (especially in degraded samples, like hair or bones).
  • Medical research (some diseases are linked to mitochondrial mutations).

Analogy If nuclear DNA is like a massive encyclopedia of genetic instructions from both parents, mtDNA is like a slim booklet passed down solely from your mother’s side, unchanged except for occasional typos (mutations) over many generations.This makes it especially valuable for deep ancestry studies tracing back thousands of years. The company with the largest mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) database in the world is FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA), not only for Y‑DNA but also for maternal lineage records. Why FamilyTreeDNA Leads in mtDNA.

• History and Scale: FTDNA has offered mtDNA testing (both HVR‑only and full mitochondrial genome) since the early 2000s, making it one of the earliest comprehensive providers.
• Database Size: Their database includes hundreds of thousands of mtDNA full‐sequence results, derived from customers and projects like the Million Mito Project and integrating Genographic Project data.
• mtDNA Haplotree Expansion: In early 2025, FTDNA released a new “The Tree of Humankind,” based on over half a million mtDNA results, expanding from about 5,400 branches in PhyloTree to over 40,000 branches—a massive increase in detail and scientific resolution.
• Genealogical Matching: FTDNA is widely recognized in genealogy publications as offering the largest mtDNA matching database, alongside its Y‑DNA services.

Feature FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)Testing Types mtDNA HVR1/HVR2 and full mitochondrial genomeRelative SizeLargest mtDNA database for genealogyHaplotree Coverage~40,000+ maternal lineages (2025 Mitotree ) Matching / Genealogy Support Extensive mtDNA matching and project tools Other Resources (Small/Mixed-scale)  

• EMPOP (European Mitochondrial DNA Population Database): Widely used in forensic labs and population-genetics research for standardized mtDNA reference data—but smaller than FTDNA in user-generated genealogical results.
• Academic Databases such as GenBank (via MITOMAP, mitoYDNA) and ancient-data resources (AmtDB), but these aren't geared toward genealogy matching and are smaller than FTDNA in practical size.

Final Answer The largest and most active mtDNA database for genealogical purposes is maintained by FamilyTreeDNA. They combine deep coverage of full maternal lineages, an expansive and up‑to‑date haplotree from half‑a‑million+ sequences, and user-facing matching tools that facilitate maternal ancestry research.

The mitochondrial haplogroup J contains several sub-lineages. The original haplogroup J originated in the Near East approximately 50,000 years ago. Within Europe, sub-lineages of haplogroup J have distinct and interesting distributions. Haplogroup J*—the root lineage of haplogroup J—is found distributed throughout Europe but at a relatively low frequency. Haplogroup J is generally considered one of the prominent lines that were part of the Neolithic spread of agriculture into Europe from the Near East beginning approximately 10,000 years ago.

The House of Plantagenet was a royal house which originated in the French County of Anjou. The name Plantagenet is used by modern historians to identify four distinct royal houses: the Angevins, who were also Counts of Anjou; the main line of the Plantagenets following the loss of Anjou; and the houses of Lancaster and York, the Plantagenets' two cadet branches. The family held the English throne from 1154, with the accession of Henry II, until 1485, when Richard III died.