Each individual's genetic information is encoded and stored in four different molecules called nucleotides, which together form our DNA (short for deoxyribonucleic acid).

The nucleotides form two strands that are connected by hydrogen bonds and wrap around each other, forming a double helix.

Each nucleotide consists of deoxyribose (a sugar), a phosphate group, and one of four nucleobases:

1. Cytosine (C)

2. Guanine (G)

3. Adenine (A)

4. Thymine (T)

In the opposite strand of the double helix, only adenine can bind to thymine and cytosine can bind to guanine. The first two belong to the group of single-ring pyrimidines and the latter to the group of double-ring purines.

Both strands of DNA store the same biological information, running antiparallel, meaning in opposite directions to each other.

These 4 building blocks are the genetic code that is translated into RNA, proteins and all the information needed for our bodies to form and function.