The phosphate group in the sugar-phosphate backbone contains a negative charge on the oxygen atom which gives the DNA its overall negative charge. This negative charge on DNA in helpful in the coiling or packaging of DNA around the positively charges histone protein.
This negative charge property of DNA is used in electrophoresis to separate the DNA according to their charge and size.In electrophoresis, the negatively charged DNA is attracted towards positive poles and is separated according to their charge and size. Therefore the statement is true.
