Читать книгу Horse Genetics - Ernest Bailey - Страница 59

In addition to the DNA in chromosomes, each cell has a pair of small, circular DNA molecules in their mitochondria. Mitochondria are small organelles in the cell important for oxidative metabolism. Horses have 37 mitochondrial genes, all of which are dedicated to the function of mitochondria. The mitochondria in an offspring usually originate from the eggs of the dam. The mitochondria in sperm are almost always lost. Consequently, the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial genes follows the maternal line of inheritance (Chapter 21 has more information about mitochondria genetics)