How many strands comprise a DNA molecule?

A DNA molecule is composed of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix structure. This double-stranded formation is crucial for the stability of the genetic material and allows for the complementary base pairing that is essential for processes such as replication and transcription. The two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide bases; adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine. This double-stranded nature not only provides a mechanism for genetic information storage and transfer but also serves as a template for copying DNA during cell division. Thus, the fundamental structure of DNA as a double helix, made up of two intertwined strands, is key to its function in biological systems.