Final answer:
DNA is made of nucleotides, which consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group. These nucleotides join together to form the DNA double helix, essential for genetic information storage and protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA is made of nucleotides. Nucleotides are the monomers that combine to form a nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a pentose (five-carbon) sugar, and a phosphate group. The long chains of nucleotides form polynucleotides, like the DNA double helix.
DNA participates in essential functions such as storing genetic information, cell division, and protein synthesis. It is made up of two polynucleotide chains that twist around each other to form the classic double helix structure. These chains are held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary nitrogenous bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).