About DNA
Back to DNA Results
- As DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is passed down from one generation to the next, some parts remain
almost unchanged, while other parts change greatly.
- There is an unbreakable link between generations, however, which is why in the past few years the
use of DNA testing has become such a popular tool in determining ancestry.
- Since the Y chromosome is only passed down the male line from father to son, the Y chromosomal
(usually referred to as Y DNA, or Y-line DNA) is only available for males.
- Tiny chemical markers on the Y chromosome create a distinctive pattern (known as a haplotype) that
distinguishes one male lineage from another. Shared markers can indicate relatedness between two
men -- though not the exact degree of the relationship. Y chromosome testing is most often used by
individuals with the same last name, to learn if they share a common ancestor.
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