The shape of DNA is called a double helix. This structure was first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. The double helix looks like a twisted ladder. The sides of the ladder are made up of sugar and phosphate molecules, while the rungs are formed by pairs of nitrogenous bases: adenine (A) with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) with guanine (G).
This unique shape allows DNA to store genetic information efficiently and ensures that it can be copied accurately during cell division. The double helix structure is crucial for the stability and function of DNA, enabling it to carry the instructions needed for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms.