DNA is made up of nucleotides, which contain a sugar, phosphate, and organic base. DNA forms a double helix structure with the bases on the inside pairing in a specific way (A pairs with T, C pairs with G). DNA controls cell functions by encoding genetic information in genes that are made up of sequences of three nucleotide base pairs that specify the production of amino acids and ultimately proteins. DNA replicates before cell division to produce two identical copies that are distributed to new daughter cells.