DNA is made of repeating building blocks called nucleotides , each containing a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four bases (A, T, C, or G). These nucleotides link together to form long strands that twist into the famous double helix structure.

Core components

  • Each nucleotide has:
    • One deoxyribose sugar.
* One phosphate group.

* One nitrogenous base: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), or guanine (G).

How it is arranged

  • The sugar and phosphate repeat to form a strong backbone on the outside of the DNA strand.
  • The bases stick inwards and pair A with T and C with G, creating the rungs of a twisted ladder (the double helix).

Why this matters

  • The specific order (sequence) of the bases along the DNA strand stores genetic information, like letters in a code.
  • This code tells cells how to build proteins and ultimately determines many traits in living organisms.

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