The Woman Who is the Mother of Us All

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In this video:

This woman is thought to be the “mother” of all humans alive today. Seems like a big claim for scientists to make. So how do they know this? The simple explanation is that when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, the DNA from the father and mother join together in a process known as recombination. Certain DNA is only passed down from the mother or father. All mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) come exclusively from the mother, as an exact copy. Over time however, there will occur predictable mutations to mtDNA. Biologists can compare samples from individuals to determine how closely they are related- the fewer these predictable mutations, the closer the relationship. The predictability of these mutations also allows biologists to estimate the time at which a certain mutation (i.e. ancestor) lived. Beginning in 1987, several studies have been conducted that show all humans alive today have the same female ancestor and she lived approximately 200,000 years ago.

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[TodayIFoundOut]

Now that you know all about Eve check out this video and find out Why Determining Easter’s Date is So Confusing:

[Sleepy.Time.]

i bet she is awfully busy on Mothers Day

[Threeezzz]

"Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell" thank you highschool bio for the one biological fact that I know.

[stevejohnsen]

Ancestry DNA is actually really great! It allowed me (being a test tube baby) to be able to find 7 of my half siblings! And we now all talk to each other and are great friends!

[judyfinley]

Oh, so she must be the powerhouse of the human race

[capnseriousnap]

70, 000 years ago we were on the verge of being wiped out, it's kinda scary. 15000 ppl is not enough to fill some modern stadiums :v

[ataurusqueenofzion]

That thumbnail is in no way shape or form the mother of humanity.

[TanukiOfficial]

I don't think "Eve" looked anything like your thumbnail. How about trying to be graphically, historically accurate, too?

[TheTexas]

Mitochondrial eve must have gotten around.

[rolebo]

"they supply an enzyme. more accurately a co-enzyme" wtf dude that is just plain wrong. a co-enzyme is not an enzyme. a co-enzyme can be anything that binds with an enzyme to more efficiently produce substrate. an enzyme is a protein, a co-enzyme can be anything from a single atom like iron to complex molecules like ATP.

[Lunar_Blacksmith]

I would actually really enjoy a sci fi film about these people. Their lives, how the times were, not knowing how huge of an impact they would make on the world. It could be very poetic and inspiring. The reason for the sci fi would either be a time mirror where someone observes their lives or time travel in general. I think the mirror would be more heartbreaking because they can only watch but can't change it (like a more depressing Deja Vu).

[metal]

Mitochondrial DNA is not passed mother to daughter, it is passed mother to children. If a woman has only a son, her mitochondrial DNA is not actually "lost" as it continues to reside in the son, though he cannot pass it on.

[squelchedotter]

Protip: Don't sign up for a DNA Sequencing service if you don't want your real identity and DNA being associated and being Sold to various customers. Gene sequencing is very expensive so the reason it's so cheap from these companies is that they make money selling customers access to their DNA database instead. You are paying, but you are still the product.

[smolkafilip]

And creationists have no problem pushing the mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosome Adam as proof of creation despite the fact those two didnt even live at the same time.

[lesliemoiseauthor]

You do the most interesting videos. I look forward to them every day.

[okaro]

The fact that there is a single common ancestor is just obvious. The question is just when. The mitochondrial Eve is not the latest common ancestor, just the one on maternal lines.

[alphacharm]

SHE WAS BLACK TOO!!! You didn’t mention that.

[galacticcat]

I really enjoy this channel. The information is well researched and the videos are presented in a way for everyone to understand. Keep up the great work!

[claudette]

You left some pertinent information out. I also expected a better description or picture.

[owenfitzgerald]

They're claiming we're all inbred?
Cue Deliverance banjo music.