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Polymerization

Nucleic acids are formed through the sequential addition of nucleotides, creating long chains with specific sequences.
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The statement of the theorem

Consider the polymerization reaction forming a polymer PP from NN monomers MM. Let [P][P] and [M][M] be the concentrations of the polymer chain and the monomer, respectively. The rate of polymerization RpolyR_{\text{poly}} is governed by the rate law: \nRpoly=kadd[P][M]/(1+Kinhib[I])R_{\text{poly}} = k_{\text{add}} [P] [M] / (1 + K_{\text{inhib}} [I]) \nwhere kaddk_{\text{add}} is the rate constant for monomer addition, and Kinhib[I]K_{\text{inhib}} [I] accounts for inhibition by side products [I][I]. The overall change in polymer length LL over time tt is given by the differential equation: \nd[P]dt=Rpoly\frac{d[P]}{dt} = R_{\text{poly}}