 3d Science.com |
What
in the World is DNA?
The
following is a cursory explanation of a complex scientific field. We encourage
you to read the following relevant chapters in the free encyclopedia Wikipedia
for more detail: DNA
is the abbreviation for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a very large
"macro molecule" that contains all the necessary information to reproduce any
living organism. DNA is parceled by several large molecules called chromosomes.
A chromosome consists of a helical structure consisting of two intertwined
complementary DNA strands. Each DNA strand consists of a twisted strand to which
are attached four nucleotide bases and abbreviated as A, C, G and T. Each of
these contains genetic information. Humans
have 46 chromosomes with approximately three-thousand million base pairs. Two chromosomes
determine the sex of an individual, e.g., females have two X chromosomes and
males have one X and one Y chromosome. Active strands of the DNA are called
genes. These are the fundamental unit of heredity in an organism. The numbers of
genes for individuals is still uncertain but for our purposes, let’s estimate it
to be about twenty thousand to twenty-five thousand - for additional reading: DNA
Genealogy concentrates on inactive DNA, sometimes referred to as junk
DNA. Understanding that commercial DNA genealogy tests do NOT determine
paternity or susceptibility to inherited diseases is a key factor in this Brave
New World.
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Choosing a Test
The two most common types of genetic tests
are the Y-chromosome or yDNA (paternal line) and the mtDNA (maternal line).
The object of both tests is to compare one Hull individual to another to determine
the numerical probability that both individuals are related within a certain number of generations.
The Y-chromosome DNA is passed from one generation to the next from only male to male.
Since surnames are also usually passed from one generation to the next from male to male,
this test is best suited for comparing individuals with the same surname, or at least with
suspected common parentage.
Because the yDNA is passed only from male to male, only a relatively small number of your
ancestors and their male offspring share your yDNA; essentially only those sharing
your surname. Male descendants also share your yDNA, but only if you are a male.
The maternal mtDNA is passed from a female to all her offspring, male and female. However,
the mtDNA is only passed to the next generation by the female. Again, there are only a small
number of your ancestors and their female offspring, which share your mtDNA. Your male and
female descendants also share your mtDNA, but only if you are female. Your male descendants
do NOT pass your mtDNA to any of their descendants.
Either the yDNA or mtDNA test will result in a haplogroup prediction. Some DNA testing
companies offer more detailed tests to determine the sub-haplogroup within a main haplogroup. Certain
commercial testing companies offer tests to determine the percentage of each major ethnic
group present in an individual, as well as determining the presence of certain marker characteristics which
identify a particular ethnic origin.
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 Sampler Kit ( FTDNA) |
How are the Tests Done?
From
the very beginning, the Hull Surname yDNA Study (2002) used Family Tree DNA
(FTDNA) as its premier DNA testing company. Many changes to DNA testing
have occured since our struggling beginning, except one thing has not
changed, i.e., our outstanding testing company. Hull DNA Research contines
to use FTDNA for our DNA testing needs. The typical testing kit, often referred to as
a sampler kit, consists of enough apparatus to obtain two samples. A sample is
obtained by scraping the inside of the cheek with a small stiff brush for a full
minute. The tip of the brush is then placed
in a vial and the handle of the brush is designed to snap off. A second sample
is obtained in the same manner after waiting at least 8 hours. Both vials, which
are tagged with a unique identifying number, are then mailed back to FTDNA.
Processing a sample usually takes about 4-6 weeks. Accompanying the sampler kit is a
consent form which may vary from company to company, FTDNA will ask your consent
to test your DNA, but many also ask your consent (1) to store your DNA sample,
(2) to retain your DNA results for future study, or (3) to enter and publish
your DNA results in a database held by the company. It is important that you answer
"yes" on the consent. This allows the Project Administrator to assist you by
comparing and interpreting your results to other participants in the Project.
The project coordinator also helps facilitate communication among the
participants and consults with them on a regular basis concerning the content
and format of the project web pages. The key strength of the Hull DNA
Project, as a surname family group, comes with each participant’s ability to
share relevant information about his/her ancestors. This is what genealogical
research is about. If you took a DNA test directly through a private testing
service you would not have the same opportunity to share information with
cousins researching the same family lines. A "no" defeats the purpose for doing
a DNA Genealogy test in the first place. Please Contact Us If you have
any concerns or comments about the information on this page, please send an
email to: hull.genetic.genealogy@gmail.com/. If you find a
broken link, please let us know. |
