Y-chromosomal Adam is the term used to refer to the oldest known common male ancestor. He is the point of origin of the paternal line, which has evolved over time, giving rise to the different paternal haplogroups present in today's population. It is believed that Y-chromosomal Adam was of African origin and carried the original Y chromosome, which over time diversified into different variants due to genetic mutations. This male ancestor is estimated to be between 275,000 and 340,000 years old, and the oldest haplogroup associated with him is A00, which split directly from Adam about 235,000 years ago.
On the other hand, Mitochondrial Eve is the term used to designate the oldest known common female ancestor. She is the starting point of the maternal line, whose mitochondrial DNA has undergone several modifications over time, giving rise to current maternal haplogroups. Mitochondrial Eve is believed to have lived in East Africa approximately 200,000 years ago and is the only woman whose direct descendants reached the present day. Although other women existed at that time, their maternal line became extinct, as their descendants were primarily male. Mitochondrial Eve is distinct from the common ancestor of the human species, as it refers exclusively to mitochondrial DNA, which is only transmitted through the maternal line.