What are the subunits that make up the DNA of an organism?

The subunits that make up the DNA of an organism are nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in the case of DNA), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine). These nucleotides link together through phosphodiester bonds to form the long strands of DNA, creating the helical structure characteristic of genetic material. This building block is fundamental to the storage and transmission of genetic information in all living organisms.

In contrast, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, fatty acids are components of lipids, and carbohydrates are sugars and starches that serve as energy sources and structural components in various biological processes. Each of these organic molecules plays a vital role in cellular function, but they are not involved in the construction of DNA.