What is the Difference Between Mitochondrial DNA and Chloroplast DNA?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) are both extranuclear DNA present in cells, but they have distinct differences in terms of their size, structure, location, function, and inheritance patterns. Here are the main differences between mtDNA and cpDNA:
- Location in the cell: mtDNA is found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells, while cpDNA is found in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
- Size of the genome: The mitochondrial genome contains about 16,500 nucleotides and encodes 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and 13 different polypeptide chains. Chloroplast genomes are about 10 times larger, ranging in size from 70,000 to 200,000 nucleotide pairs.
- Structure: Mitochondrial DNA is linear and associated with histone proteins, whereas chloroplast DNA is smaller, circular, and not associated with histones.
- Function: Mitochondrial genes are involved in oxidative phosphorylation and protein synthesis, while chloroplast genes participate in photosynthesis.
- Inheritance pattern: Both mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA are typically inherited maternally, from the mother to the offspring.
- Origin: Mitochondrial DNA is believed to have evolved from ancient prokaryotes, while chloroplast DNA evolved from cyanobacteria.
In summary, both mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA play crucial roles in cellular functions and energy production. Despite their similarities, they exhibit distinct differences in terms of structure, function, and inheritance patterns.
Comparative Table: Mitochondrial DNA vs Chloroplast DNA
Here is a table highlighting the differences between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA):
Feature | Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) | Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) |
---|---|---|
Location | Found in mitochondria of all eukaryotes | Found in chloroplasts of plant cells |
Abbreviation | mtDNA | cpDNA or plastome |
Size of the Genome | About 16,500 base pairs | 70,000 to 200,000 base pairs |
Shape of the DNA | Both circular and linear | Only circular |
Function | Genes in mtDNA take part in oxidative phosphorylation for the production of ATP | Genes in cpDNA participate in photosynthesis in plants |
Inheritance | Usually inherited uniparentally, meaning offspring get DNA only from one parent | Often inherited uniparentally, but can be inherited biparentally in some cases |
Copy Number | Typically thousands of copies per cell | Varies, but can also be in the thousands per cell |
Both mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA are extranuclear DNA present in the cells apart from the nuclear DNA. They share some similarities, such as being single, circular chromosomes, being double-stranded, and existing in multiple copies. However, they differ in their location, size, function, and inheritance patterns.
- Mitochondrial DNA vs Nuclear DNA
- Mitochondria vs Chloroplast
- Mitochondria vs Plastids
- Chemiosmosis in Mitochondria vs Chloroplast
- Mitochondria vs Kinetoplast
- Electron Transport Chain in Mitochondria vs Chloroplasts
- Plasmid DNA vs Chromosomal DNA
- Chlorophyll vs Chloroplast
- Genomic vs Plasmid DNA
- Leucoplast Chloroplast vs Chromoplast
- Golgi Bodies vs Mitochondria
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA
- DNA vs cDNA
- Cytosolic vs Chloroplastic Glycolysis
- rDNA vs cDNA
- Mitosis vs Meiosis
- Mitosis vs Meiosis
- DNA vs Chromosome
- Cytoplasmic Inheritance vs Nuclear Inheritance