What is meant by cytoplasmic inheritance ?

Explanation

The universal genetic material is the DNA present in the nucleus. The genes present in the nuclear chromosomes follow mendelian inheritance from parent to offspring. But some traits are governed by the DNA present in the chloroplast and mitochondria, which are present in the cytoplasm and their inheritance does not follow mendelian inheritance. This type of inheritance through cytoplasmic organelles like chloroplast and mitochondria is said to be cytoplasmic inheritance. This type of inheritance is mainly based on plasmogenes located in the cytoplasmic organelles, chloroplast and mitochondria. Plasmogenes are independent, self replicating extra chromosomal units.