Autosomal DNA

From ISOGG Wiki

Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is a term used in genetic genealogy to describe DNA which is inherited from the autosomal chromosomes. An autosome is any of the numbered chromosomes, as opposed to the sex chromosomes. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (the X chromosome and the Y chromosome). Autosomes are numbered roughly in relation to their sizes. That is, Chromosome 1 has approximately 2,800 genes, while chromosome 22 has approximately 750 genes.

See also

• Autosomal DNA statistics
• Autosomal DNA tools
• Identical By Descent segment
• Personal genome test proactive successes
• Phasing
• Family Finder
• Relative Finder
• Family Finder versus Relative Finder
• Family Finder versus deCODEme
• 23andMe versus deCODEme
• X chromosome testing

Further reading

• Autosomal DNA video from SMGF
• Successfully using autosomal testing in conjunction with mitochondrial and Y-line testing to address genealogical questions An essay by Roberta Estes. The paper was originally written for people searching both genealogically and genetically for their Native American ancestors and heritage, but the techniques described will also apply to those searching for any minority heritage.
• Autosomal DNA by Angela J. Cone
• Ask a geneticist by Dr. Erin Cline Davis, a science writer at 23andMe
• DNA Dilemma: Should I Take a Genetic Test? A week-long series of articles by Newsweek reporter Mary Carmichael with views and comments from a wide range of contributors including some ISOGG members

This image is taken from the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms and is reproduced courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

This article uses material in the public domain from the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms and is reproduced courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute.