What does DNA stand for?

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. The term "deoxy" refers to the sugar component of DNA, which is deoxyribose. The "nucleic acid" part indicates that DNA is one of the two types of nucleic acids, the other being RNA (ribonucleic acid).

The alternative options contain inaccuracies in the terminology. "Dioxyribose nucleic acid" misrepresents the sugar involved; "Deoxyribo nucleic acid" is nearly correct but omits the full name of the sugar and is not as widely recognized as the full term. Lastly, "Double ribonucleic acid" is entirely incorrect, as it inaccurately combines elements from both DNA and RNA while suggesting a structure that does not apply to DNA, which is double-stranded, but not described accurately in that term. Understanding the correct terminology is essential for grasping the foundational concepts of molecular biology.