Why is nucleic acid an acid?

1 Answer
Oct 17, 2016

Nucleic acids were named for their initial discovery within the nucleus and for the presence of phosphate group --- related to phosphoric acid.

Explanation:

The term nucleic acid is the overall name for DNA and RNA , members of a family of biopolymers.

The basic component of biological nucleic acid is the nucleotide, each of which contains a pentose sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.