Question

Why is RNA called an acid?

Answer 1

RNA:

1. Ribonucleic acid is a polymeric molecule necessary for various biological roles like expression, regulation, coding, and decoding of genes.
2. RNA is called nucleic acids because the phosphate group attached to it is acidic in nature.
3. The phosphate group is negatively charged and it donates protons in solution which is an ability possessed by all acids.
4. The phosphate groups are similar to phosphoric acid. The only difference is that two protons from the phosphoric acid are replaced with protons from the sugar molecules of the nucleotide which leaves only one remaining proton, which is very acidic.
5. This lost proton is is the reason why nucleic acids are so acidic.