Genealogy DNA Testing Understanding Your Family Tree With Genealogy DNA Testing
It is imperative that before we get into a detailed discussion of genealogy DNA testing, we do spend a little time to understand the basic structure of the DNA. This will help you appreciate the article better. So here we go, we will be brief and to the point… Chromosomes And The DNA Structure Every living organism is made up of genetic instructions that determine how they look and everything. The genetic instructions are in carried by nucleus found in all cells. The chemical that is inside the nucleus is what is called DNA, a nice abbreviation of deoxyribonuclei acid. The microscopic structure of the DNA in its normal state reveals that it is made of two strands. These strands are closely wrapped around each other into what is known as a helix.The molecules that make the DNA bases are made of nitrogen. On the sides of the helix are molecules made up of sugar and phosphorus combination. If all these sound too scientific for you, don’t you worry because we will get over it soon. So let’s continue… There are four different types of bases. These are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T) and Cytosine (C). The different sequences of DNA is defined by the order in which these bases are arranged on the sugar-phospate combo helix. Now unto the chromosomes… Chromosomes basically determine the sex of each individual – that is whether male or female. There are two types of chromosomes, the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. There are 23 chromosomes in the human body. Twenty-two of these are of the X type (i.e. they are all identical) and the last one, Y chromosome is different. Each individual gender is determined by XX (female) or XY (male). Now we are done. I told you we will make it short and simple.
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What Information Can You Deduce From Genealogy DNA Testing?
Genealogy DNA testing provides only genealogical information from one individual to the next from one generation to the preceeding one. It is important to understand that DNA testing for genealogy does not provide any medical information. And, it does not reveal to us whether there is a particular genetic disorder or disease when these tests are performed. So why would someone want to conduct a genealogical DNA testing? Well you would if you wanted to find answers to the following questions or statements: 1. You want to know if there is an ancestral connection between you and other person or a group of individuals 2. When people want to find out if the how their surname is spelled has been changed 3. Want to find out if someone was adopted into your family 4. You want to authenticate your genealogy records or otherwise 5. Someone decides to authenticate their relationship with a particular family that lived sometime in the past. 6. If you know any other reason why you would want to get a DNA test for genealogy that has not been mentioned above, leave it in the comments field below. If your answer to the above first five questions is in the affirmative, then this is what you need to do: Undergo genealogy DNA testing along with the person or group of people whom you think you could have a biological or ancestral relationship with.
Tracing Paternal And Maternal Ancestry Through Genealogy DNA Testing There two types of genealogical DNA testing that can be carried out to determine your paternal and maternal ancestry. These are: 1. The Y-Chromosome Testing: This test is used to trace your paternal lineage through your father. As explained earlier, the Y-Chromosome is passed from father to son. If you are a woman and want to know your paternal ancestry, you have ask your dad, uncle or brother or any male that is alive and willing to take the test for you. The samples for the DNA testing is collected with a simple mouth swab. Recently even chewing gum or mouth wash is accepted by many accredited DNA testing centers. 2. The mtDNA Testing (Mitochondrial DNA Testing): Needless to say this test is used to trace your maternal genealogy. The structure of the DNA found in the mitochondria of females are passed down from mum to the child (male and female) without any changes at all. During
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this test, using the current conventions, the mtDNA is divided up into 3 sections. The results are compared to the another individual’s results to find out the relationship between the one conducting the test and the most recent common ancestor.
Concluding Our Discussion on Genealogy DNA Testing Genealogy DNA testing is really a great way of doing ancestry research. How this test is conducted, which DNA testing center is selected is for another discussion. However, it is really important that to note that results can sometimes upset people. Why? Because, it may not tally with what is available on the birth records as far some family names are concerned. Does that mean the DNA testing for genealogy are inaccurate? The answer is no. If you selected an AABB accredited institution for the test, you can be 99% sure that the DNA testing results are accurate. And that perhaps the birth records may not be as it’s supposed to be. Nonetheless, genealogy DNA testing is worthwhile to do if you have any questions about your ancestry.
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