Haplogroups, Haplotypes Polymorphisms and SNP's
What is a haplogroup?
A major branch on the family tree of Homo Sapiens is called a Haplogroup. These haplogroup branches characterize the early migrations of population groups. As a result, haplogroups are usually associated with a geographic region. If haplogroups are the branches of the tree then the haplotypes represent the leaves of the tree. All of the haplotypes that belong to a particular haplogroup are leaves on the same branch. Both mtDNA and Y-DNA tests provide haplogroup information, but remember that the haplogroups nomenclature is different for each.Y-DNA haplogroups
A Y-DNA haplogroup is defined as all of the male descendants of the single person who first showed a particular polymorphism or SNP (pronounced snip - short for Single Nucleic Polymorphism) mutation. A SNP mutation identifies a group who share a common ancestor far back in time. Since SNPs rarely mutate, each member of a particular haplogroup has the same SNP mutation. The branches of the phylogenetic tree are labeled A-R.mtDNA haplogroups
An mtDNA haplogroup is defined as all of the female descendants of the single person who first showed a particular polymorphism, or SNP mutation. Like Y-DNA SNP mutations, an mtDNA SNP mutation identifies a group who share a common ancestor far back in time. The results of a DNA test will predict your placement on a branch of the phylogenetic tree. Where there is ambiguity, an additional SNP test can be taken which will test for certain mutations that identify a haplotype. Home Page
Previous Topic
Inheritance Next Topic
STR's Etc
DNA Testing Introduction
DNA Types
Inheritance
Haplogroups
STR's etc
Results
Medical Insurance
