Question

Are nucleic acids polar or non-polar?

Answer 1

Polar:

1. A molecule in which one end of the molecule is slightly positive, while the other end is slightly negative.
2. Examples- H₂O, NH₃, NaCl, etc.

Non-polar:

1. Such molecules have no separation of charge, so no positive or negative poles are formed.
2. Examples- CO_2,CH₄(methane), etc.

Nucleic acids

1. The sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA is hydrophilic (making it polar).
2. Whereas, the interior of the DNA(bases) is hydrophobic (making it non-polar).
3. Nucleic acids are considered polar molecules.