How is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) different from nuclear DNA?

Question

Accepted Answer

mtDNA is the mitochondrial DNA that differs from nuclear DNA in a number of characteristics (Table 1).
 
Table 1. Differences between mtDNA and nuclear DNA.

Feature
mtDNA
nuclear DNA

Abundance
Mitochondrial matrix
Nucleus of cell

Shape
Circular chain of DNA
Arranged in linear chromosomes

Base number
16,569
3,300,000,000

Number of copies
Multiple
Two

Number of genes
37
20,000 ? 30,000

Inheritance
Maternal
Maternal and paternal

Non-coding DNA genome proportion
3%
93%

Feature	mtDNA	nuclear DNA
Abundance	Mitochondrial matrix	Nucleus of cell
Shape	Circular chain of DNA	Arranged in linear chromosomes
Base number	16,569	3,300,000,000
Number of copies	Multiple	Two
Number of genes	37	20,000 ? 30,000
Inheritance	Maternal	Maternal and paternal
Non-coding DNA genome proportion	3%	93%