[Ultrasonic study of nucleic acids. Effect of pH]

The ultrasonic absorption of nucleic acids in water solutions was studied by the pulse ultrasonic technique depending on pH, at frequency 12 mHz T = 20 dedrees C. The obtained data show the occurrence of structural relaxation in DNA solutions caused by the proton exchange and transfer reactions with the extremal pH at 2.5 and 11.7. Possible mechanisms of the excess ultrasonic absorption were discussed concerning the protolytic processes with the charged DNA groups (N--P1 exchange and the hydrolysis of lactam groups at acid and alkaline pH correspondingly).