Mitochondrial Eve

This refers to the woman from whom all living humans descend on their mother's side. All mitochondrial DNA in each person is a direct result of hers because all mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to child without recombination. Mitochondrial Eve is estimated to have lived around 200,000 years ago, most likely in East Africa. This woman is the most recent person to whom all people can trace their genealogy; there were many women who came before and after her, but her life is the point from which all modern branches on humanity's family tree grew.