Discussion of all aspects of biological molecules, biochemical processes and laboratory procedures in the field.
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Adz795
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by Adz795 » Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:59 pm
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?
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JackBean
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by JackBean » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:16 pm
because of their overall acidity caused by phosphates?
(not every acid must have COOH)
http://www.biolib.cz/en/main/
Cis or trans? That's what matters.
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Adz795
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by Adz795 » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:20 pm
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.
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JackBean
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by JackBean » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:59 am
these "phosphates" are phosphoric ACID.
That's like if you asked, whether the sulfate in H2SO4 solution confers the name 'acid'.
http://www.biolib.cz/en/main/
Cis or trans? That's what matters.
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aptitude
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by aptitude » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:26 am
Adz795 wrote: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.
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Adz795
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by Adz795 » Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:58 am
I am so sorry, I confused with the acid/base theory.
Thanks a lot for the explanation!
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