Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosomal Adam
In the past decade, scientists have repeatedly referred to ‘Mitochondrial Eve‘, the (hypothesized) source of mtDNA for all humans alive today. She is believed to have lived approximately 140,000 years ago in Africa. There is also ‘Y-chromosomal Adam‘, the (hypothesized) source of every living man’s Y-DNA. He is also believed to have lived in Africa, but more recently, between 60,000 and 90,000 years ago. Thus, Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromsomal Adam were not a couple – they were not the source of all human genetic material on the planet today. Instead, the terms refer to the founders of all the mtDNA and Y-DNA respectively.
For a wonderful description of some of the genetic behind Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromsomal Adam, go to “The Questionable Authority“, a blog which is part of Scienceblogs. While you’re there, be sure to read the comments, where the discussion addresses the time disparity between the two DNA sources (140,000 years ago versus 60-90,000 years ago).
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
[...] and discuss your questions with mitochondrial eve experts.www.amazon.com/tag/mitochondrial%20eveThe Genetic Genealogist – » Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosomal AdamIn the past decade, scientists have repeatedly referred to ‘Mitochondrial Eve‘, the [...]
April 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
[...] In the past decade, scientists have repeatedly referred to ‘Mitochondrial Eve‘, the (hypothesized) source of mtDNA for all humans alive today. She is believed to have lived approximately 140,000 years ago in Africa. There is also ‘Y-chromosomal Adam‘, the (hypothesized) source of every living man’s Y-DNA. He is also believed to have lived in Africa, but more recently, between 60,000 and 90,000 years ago. Thus, Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromsomal Adam were not a couple – they were not the source of all human genetic material on the planet today. Instead, the terms refer to the founders of all the mtDNA and Y-DNA respectively. http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2007/07/20/mitochondrial-eve-and-y-chromosomal-adam/ [...]
November 30th, 2009 at 1:51 am
[...] then we all came from Adam and Eve, the pair that lived together, in the same time period. DNA disproves this nonsense. We have a dilemma here. If the bible is the ‘word of God’, then ‘God’ [...]
October 9th, 2010 at 4:27 am
[...] 150,000 and 170,000 years ago. The last common male ancestor is estimated to have lived between 60,000 and 90,000 years ago. These are the individuals who everyone is descended [...]
December 13th, 2010 at 9:46 am
The difference is due to fact that the reproduction period of woman is shorter (faster genetic drift and more matrilineal generations) than for man. It can be more than 50%. (The age mother is often about 15 years and fathers above 25 years in (recent) Africa.)
May 7th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Mitochondrial Eve was the most RECENT common ancestor, that means there could be the biblical Eve living with Adam a long time before the mitochondrial one. And also the time when she lived is not so sure. See http://www.icr.org/article/5657/ and others.
May 10th, 2011 at 5:06 am
@Eve according to the jews, the people who wrote the old testament, cain was the oldest son of adam and eve, which puts bible chronology starting around 5800 years ago (according to the jewish calendar).