DNA molecule. Computer graphic of a segment from a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule. The bonds between atoms are shown (sticks), the atoms themselves seen as bending points in the bonds. The atoms are colour-coded: carbon and phosphorous (orange), oxygen (red) and nitrogen (blue). DNA contains the genetic code, the information necessary to produce a new organism. It is composed of two sugar-phosphate strands twisted together in a double helix. The strands form backbones" linked by nucleotide bases which form complementary pairs. The sequence of the base pairs, arranged in specific segments known as genes, determines every character of an organism."