The Mother of All Experiments: Exploring Human Origin by PCR Amplification of Mitochondrial DNA

In this experiment, students will isolate their mitochondrial DNA and use the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify two separate regions of the mitochondrial genome. Results are analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. *See the addendum in "Resources" for alternative instructions pertaining to the isolation of human DNA using hair.