Mitochondrial mutations can be inherited maternally by mtDNA mutations which are present in mitochondria inside the oocyte before fertilization, or (as stated above) through mutations in the chromosomes.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is not transmitted through nuclear DNA (nDNA). In humans, as in most multicellular organisms, mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother's ovum. There are theories, however, that paternal mtDNA transmission in humans can occur under certain circumstances. In humans, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) forms closed circular molecules that contain 16,569 DNA base pairs, with each such molecule normally containing a full set of the mitochondrial genes. Each human mitochondrion contains, on average, approximately 5 such mtDNA molecules, with the quantity ranging between 1 and 15. Human mitochondria _____.? 1. are all inherited from the mother 2. have linear DNA 3. are inherited as an X-linked trait 4. do not contain DNA 5. are all inherited from the father. Rating Newest Oldest. Best Answer: 1. are all inherited from the mother The male gamete's mitochondria are shed outside the egg when the sperm and egg merge so the human embryo only inherits the maternal mitochondria. In genetics, paternal mtDNA transmission and paternal mtDNA inheritance refer to the incidence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) being passed from a father to his offspring. In human mitochondrial genetics, there is debate over whether or not paternal mtDNA transmission is possible. Many studies hold that paternal mtDNA is never transmitted to offspring. This thought is central to mtDNA genealogical DNA testing and to the theory of mitochondrial Eve. Mitochondria are structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use. Although most DNA is packaged in chromosomes within the nucleus, mitochondria also have a small amount of their own DNA. Mutations in the MT-CYB gene found in mitochondrial DNA can cause mitochondrial complex III deficiency. When caused by mutations in this gene, the condition is usually characterized by muscle weakness (myopathy) and pain, especially during exercise (exercise intolerance). As previously mentioned, mitochondrial DNA in humans is always inherited from a person's mother (Figure 4). As a result, we share our mitochondrial DNA sequence with our mothers, brothers, sisters, maternal grandmothers, maternal aunts and uncles, and other maternal relatives. Mutations in the mitochondrial genome have also been associated with diverse forms of human disease and aging. Mitochondria are spherical, double-membrane-bound organelles that rely on the distinct functions of their two membranes: the outer mitochondrial membrane and the inner mitochondrial membrane (Figure 1). Mitochondrial genetics are the genetics of the DNA contained in mitochondria, eukaryotic cell organelles that generate adenosine triphosphate from pyruvic acid and are hence referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. Because several copies of the mitochondrial genome are carried by each mitochondrion (2-10 in humans), mitochondrial mutations can be inherited maternally by mtDNA mutations which are present in mitochondria inside the oocyte before fertilization, or (as stated above) through mutations in the chromosomes. Human mitochondrial genetics is the study of the genetics of human mitochondrial DNA (the DNA contained in human mitochondria). The human mitochondrial genome is the entirety of hereditary information contained in human mitochondria. Mitochondria are small structures in cells that generate energy for the cell to use, and are hence referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. In humans, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) forms closed circular molecules that contain 16,569 DNA base pairs, with each such molecule normally containing a full set of the mitochondrial genes. Each human mitochondrion contains, on average, approximately 5 such mtDNA molecules, with the quantity ranging between 1 and 15. Mutations in the human mitochondrial genome are known to cause an array of diverse disorders, most of which are maternally inherited, and all of which are associated with defects in oxidative energy metabolism. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mitochondrial_genetics https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110323104355AAn8VjA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternal_mtDNA_transmission http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/mitochondrial-dna http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/mtDNA-and-Mitochondrial-Diseases-903 http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Human_mitochondrial_genetics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mitochondrial_genetics http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23154810
how are human mitochondria inherited