DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. It is composed of two strands forming a double helix, made up of four types of chemical bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. These bases pair specifically (A with T, C with G) to encode genetic information. DNA contains the instructions for building proteins, which perform most functions in the body. It is found mainly in the nucleus of cells and acts as a blueprint that guides biological processes essential for life.