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Why are DNA and RNA called acids?

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Hi there… DNA or RNA are called nucleic acids because of the acidic nature of the phosphate group attached to them. The phosphodiester bond can easily lose the proton in the presence of nucleophile group subsequently masking the basic nature of nitrogenous bases. Figure 1. Phosphoric acid, Figure 2. read more

Nucleic acids, which include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), are made from monomers known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide has three components: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. If the sugar is deoxyribose, the polymer is DNA. read more

DNA was the first nucleic acid to be isolated. It was isolated from nuclei of cells and was called "nuclein". Because of the phosphate groups present in the DNA molecule, it is acidic in solution, so the term "nucleic acid" was used. Only much later was RNA isolated. read more

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