Question

When the physical change produced in a biosensor is due to the movement of electrons produced in a redox reaction, the biosensor is referred to as ____________

(a) calorimetric biosensor

(b) potentiometric biosensor

(c) piezo-electric biosensor

(d) amperometric biosensor

I got this question in an international level competition.

This intriguing question comes from Biosensors in section Biosensors of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) amperometric biosensor

The best I can explain: The key part of a biosensor is the transducer which makes use of a physical change accompanying the reaction. This may be as follows

• Amperometric biosensor: movement of electrons produced in a redox reaction.

• Calorimetric biosensor: the heat output (or absorbed) by the reaction.

• Potentiometric biosensor: changes in the distribution of charges causing an electrical potential to be produced.

• Optical biosensor: light output during the reaction or a light absorbance difference between the reactants and products.

• Piezo-electric biosensor: effects due to the mass of the reactants or products.