What are the basic building blocks of DNA?

The basic building blocks of DNA are nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a sugar molecule (deoxyribose in the case of DNA), and a nitrogenous base (which can be adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine). These nucleotides link together through phosphodiester bonds to form long strands, creating the double-helix structure characteristic of DNA.

This structure is essential for DNA's function in storing and transmitting genetic information. The sequence of the nitrogenous bases along the DNA strands encodes the biological instructions necessary for the growth, development, and functioning of all living organisms. Understanding the role of nucleotides in DNA is fundamental to molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology.