What is the pH of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)?
by 
Egao No Genki
ANSWERS: 2
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This question can not be answered without more data. pH is a mathamatical expression that is linked to the AMOUNT of acid in a soulution, not the acid itself. DNA will likely dissociate in soultion to provide some hydronium ions but without knowing the concentration of DNA added to the solvent, or the dissociation constant, the pH can not be calculated or even measured. The best one can do is say that the pH would be somewhere between 7 and 0. As a best guess, about 3 or 4.
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There is no single answer, nor is there one for the more appropriate question, which is what is the pK of DNA. Remember that DNA is composed of four different bases: Adenosine, Thymidine, Cytosine and Guanidine. Each base has ionzable groups with different pKs. Combined with the pKs for the phosphate backbone, there are several titratable groups on DNA, and the pKs will depened on the quantity of A:T and G:C (which varies from individual to individual: viva la difference!). pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion in solution and can vary. Consider that water has a pK of 7.0, but the pH of water varies depending on the concentration of hydrogen ion. That's why water can have a pH of 6.8 or 7.5 or whatnot. So you really should ask, what is the pK of DNA. The answer is: it depends on the base composition.
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