In molecular biology and genetics, the Mitochondrial Eve is the most recent matrilineal (maternal descent) common ancestor of all living humans. The mitochondrial eve is also known as mt-Eve or mt- MRCA. The name is derived from the Biblical character Eve, who was the first woman on Earth and is the mother of all humanity. Mitochondrial Eve does not refer to one female, but rather to a hypothesized group originating in the continent of Africa. It is estimated to be 99-148 thousands years old.
This information has been discerned because in most cases mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited from mother to offspring without recombination. Therefore, the maternal mitochondrial DNA remains non-mutated, and is carried on unadulterated to the nest generation. The male counterpart to Mitochondrial Eve is the Y-chromosome Adam, the male in which all homo sapiens descended from. Instead of mitochondrial DNA, descendants of Y-chromosome Adam inherited the nuclear Y-chromosome. The Mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosome Adam are not the first two homo sapiens, but rather the most recent common ancestors of individuals that carry these traits. These two also did not necessarily live at the same time. Mitochondria and Y-Chromosomes did not have originate at the same time at the same place.
Mitochondrial Eve and Y-Chromosome Adam do not only exist in humans. These two are present in nearly all living things on Earth. "They are the ancestors of dinosaurs, trees, butterflies, (even) Donald Trump". Mitochondrial DNA can be used to build phylogeny, determine geographical places of origin, and find common ancestors. It may be possible in the future to find even older Mitochondrial Eves and Y-Chromosome Adams.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/no-mitochondrial-eve-not-first-female-species-180959593/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_Eve
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