Mitochondrial Eve

English

Etymology

In reference to Eve, the first woman according to the Bible.

Noun

Mitochondrial Eve (plural Mitochondrial Eves)

1. (genetics) The matrilineal most recent common ancestor of all currently living humans, i.e., the most recent woman from whom all living humans descend in an unbroken line purely through their mothers, and through the mothers of those mothers, back until all lines converge on one woman.

See also

• Y-chromosomal Adam