DNA. Computer illustration of part of a molecule of beta DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the genetic material found in all living cells, seen with autoradiogram genetic sequences. Beta DNA spirals clockwise when viewed from above. DNA encodes the hereditary characteristics of living organisms and is responsible for all hereditary traits. It consists of a double helix of two sugar-phosphate backbones (orange) connected by paired nucleotide bases (red, green, blue, yellow). The sequence of these four bases determines the unique genetic code of each individual. Each of the bands in the autoradiograms represents the position of one of the bases in the genetic code.