Question 1

What are the three main electrodes in an electrochemical biosensor?

Accepted Answer

Electrochemical biosensors contain a working electrode where the reaction occurs, a counter electrode that completes the circuit, and a reference electrode providing a stable redox potential reference point. The electrode materials are selected based on the sensor type, target analyte, and measurement technique used to ensure optimal performance.

Question 2

How does a blood glucose sensor measure glucose concentration?

Accepted Answer

Glucose in blood serum is converted to gluconic acid by the enzyme glucose oxidase, which is reduced in the process. The reduced enzyme transfers electrons to a mediator molecule, which shuttles electrons to the electrode surface. The resulting current increase is directly proportional to glucose concentration, which the meter calculates and displays.

Question 3

What is the difference between amperometric and potentiometric electrochemical sensing?

Accepted Answer

Amperometric devices measure current changes between working and counter electrodes at known voltage, with current directly proportional to analyte concentration. Potentiometric devices measure voltage changes between working and reference electrodes at constant current, allowing concentration calculation from potential changes. Each technique provides distinct measurement advantages.

Question 4

How do biorecognition elements improve electrochemical sensor specificity?

Accepted Answer

Biorecognition elements such as complementary enzymes, antibodies, or single-stranded DNA are immobilized onto electrode surfaces to capture target molecules specifically. This immobilization increases sensor selectivity by ensuring only the intended target molecule undergoes the redox reaction that generates the measurable electrical signal.

Question 5

What does impedimetric sensing measure in electrochemical biosensors?

Accepted Answer

Impedimetric devices measure changes in electrical conductivity of the analyte solution by monitoring current between working and counter electrodes at a known AC voltage frequency. Impedance decreases when conductivity increases and increases when conductivity decreases, allowing accurate analyte concentration determination from these measurements.

Question 6

How are electrochemical biosensors used to detect cancer proteins?

Accepted Answer

Cancer protein detection uses cancer-specific antibodies immobilized on magnetic beads incubated in sample solution. A second redox-active detector antibody complementary to the target is added, beads are captured magnetically onto an electrode, and amperometric measurements detect cancer protein concentration in the sample.

Question 7

What role do mediator molecules play in glucose biosensor function?

Accepted Answer

Mediator molecules accept electrons from reduced glucose oxidase enzyme and act as electron shuttles between the enzyme layer and electrode surface. The mediator loses electrons at the electrode, becoming oxidized and generating measurable current that correlates directly to glucose concentration in the blood sample.

Electrochemical Biosensing - Assessment Quiz