Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: rosy on 13/07/2009 08:30:04

Title: Why is DNA an acid?
Post by: rosy on 13/07/2009 08:30:04

rosy asked the Naked Scientists:
   why DNA is said to be acid?
why DNA is in helical shape?
what causes the water to boil while heating?
What do you think?

Title: Why is DNA an acid?
Post by: Bored chemist on 13/07/2009 11:25:19

Any chance of moving the 3rd question to another thread? It's not clearly related to the other two.
DNA is an acid because some of the hydrogens in it are relatively easilly removed as H+ ions.
The helical shape is due to the angles between the bonds holding together the atoms it's made of and the sizes of the parts of the molecules.

Title: Why is DNA an acid?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 14/07/2009 01:45:06

Quote from: rosy on 13/07/2009 08:30:04

why DNA is in helical shape?

Also structurally, the double helix shape makes the molecule 'stronger' or more stable.