Human DNA. Computer artwork of a molecule of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) superimposed on a transmission electron micrograph of a normal human cell. DNA encodes a person's hereditary character- istics. It has 2 strands of sugar-phosphate groups which wind around each other to form a double helix. They are connected by nitrogen-containing nucleotides (bases). The exact sequence of nucleotides determines the genetic code.