Deoxyribonucleic Acid, commonly known as DNA, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It is composed of two long strands that coil around each other to form a double helix. Each strand is made up of smaller units called nucleotides, which contain a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. DNA is essential for heredity, as it is passed from parents to offspring, determining traits and characteristics. The sequence of the nitrogenous bases in DNA encodes the information needed to produce proteins, which perform various functions in the body. This process of translating DNA into proteins is fundamental to life.