Nucleic ‘acids’

[Adz795]

I have 2 questions regarding nucleic acids.

1) Why are nucleic acids called nucleic ‘acids’. As far as I know, they don’t have a -COOH group neither do they accept hydrogen.

2) Are there any other types of nucleic acid molecules besides DNA and RNA and their subtypes?

[JackBean]

because of their overall acidity caused by phosphates?
(not every acid must have COOH)

[Adz795]

You mean the hydrogen accepting power(ie the negative charge) of the phosphates alone confers the name ‘acids’ to the molecules?
I had thought of it.. I wanted some confirmation.

[JackBean]

these "phosphates" are phosphoric ACID.
That’s like if you asked, whether the sulfate in H2SO4 solution confers the name ‘acid’.

[aptitude]

quote Adz795:

You mean the hydrogen accepting power(ie the negative charge) of the phosphates alone confers the name ‘acids’ to the molecules?
I had thought of it.. I wanted some confirmation.

According the Bronstead-Lowry acid/base theory, an acid donates a proton to solution and a base accepts it, not the other way around as you are saying. Phosphates are negatively charged because they have already dissociated to release H+ into solution.

[Adz795]

I am so sorry, I confused with the acid/base theory.

Thanks a lot for the explanation!

[Author]

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