The structure of part of a DNA double helix

Chemical structure of DNA. The phosphate groups are yellow, the deoxyribonucleic sugars are orange, and the nitrogen bases are green, purple, pink, and blue. The atoms shown are: P=phosphorus O=oxygen =nitrogen H=hydrogen

DNA being copied

DNA, short for deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains the genetic code of organisms. This includes animals, plants, protists, archaea and bacteria. It is made up of two polynucleotide chains in a double helix.

DNA is in each cell in the organism and tells cells what proteins to make. Mostly, these proteins are enzymes. DNA is inherited by children from their parents. This is why children share traits with their parents, such as skin, hair and eye color. The DNA in a person is a combination of the DNA from each of their parents.