Y-DNA
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Genetics
| Stands for | Y-chromosome DNA |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
Y-DNA stands for Y-chromosome DNA, a genetics abbreviation.
DNA on the Y chromosome, passed almost unchanged from father to son, so it traces a direct paternal line. Genealogists use Y-DNA tests, based on STR markers and SNPs, to link people who share a surname or to assign paternal haplogroups.
Example: Two men in the surname project matched on 66 of 67 Y-DNA markers.
Usage notes
Because only males have a Y chromosome, women researching their paternal line ask a father, brother or paternal uncle to test. Y-DNA haplogroups such as R1b and E1b1a reflect ancient migrations. Its counterpart for the maternal line is mitochondrial DNA.
Related abbreviations
More genetics abbreviations
- AD – Autosomal dominant
- AR – Autosomal recessive
- atDNA – Autosomal DNA
- BAC – Bacterial artificial chromosome
- BLAST – Basic Local Alignment Search Tool
- bp – Base pair
- cDNA – Complementary DNA
- ChIP-seq – Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing
- cM – Centimorgan
- CNV – Copy-number variation
- CpG – Cytosine-phosphate-guanine (site)
- dsDNA – Double-stranded DNA