Structure of DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains the genetic instructions for living organisms. It has a double helix structure, resembling a twisted ladder. The sides of the ladder are made of sugar and phosphate molecules, while the rungs are pairs of nitrogenous bases (adenine with thymine, and cytosine with guanine). These bases form specific pairs, holding the two strands together. The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information, guiding growth, development, and functioning of cells. This elegant structure allows DNA to store vast amounts of information efficiently and pass it accurately during cell division.