Ch 1: Introduction to Sensors, Transducers, and Biosensors Flashcards
Q: What is a sensor?
A: A device that detects physical or chemical changes and converts them into signals.
Q: What is a biosensor?
A: A device that integrates a biological element with a transducer to detect biological analytes.
Q: Define a transducer.
A: A device that converts a physical variable sensation into an accesible signal (voltage), in other words it generetes an analog signal.
Q: What are the main components of a biosensor?
A: Bioreceptor, transducer, and signal processor.
Q: Name three types of bioreceptors.
A: antibodies, enzymes, nucleic acids, viruses, bacteria, tissues,
Q: What is the role of a bioreceptor?
A: To interact with the target analyte specifically.
Q: What is the primary function of a transducer in a biosensor?
A: To convert the biological interaction into a measurable signal.
Q: What are the main types of transducers in biosensors?
A: Optical, electrochemical, thermal, and piezoelectric transducers.
Q: Define sensitivity in sensors.
A: The ability of a sensor to detect small changes in the analyte concentration.
Q: What is selectivity in biosensors?
A: The ability to distinguish the target analyte from other substances.
Q: Name one example of an electrochemical biosensor.
A: Glucose sensor.
Q: What is a lateral flow assay?
A: A paper-based biosensor used for rapid diagnostics, such as pregnancy tests.
Q: How does a pulse oximeter function?
A: It measures blood oxygen levels using light absorption.
Q: What is the difference between a sensor and an actuator?
A: Sensors detect changes, while actuators respond by producing movement or action.
Q: What is a biomarker?
A: A biological molecule that indicates a normal or abnormal process in the body.
Q: Give an example of a chemical sensor.
A: pH electrode.
Q: What is the advantage of using optical biosensors?
A: They provide high sensitivity and specificity.
Q: Name a commonly used signal processor in biosensors.
A: Microcontroller or computer.
Q: What is an immunosensor?
A: A biosensor using antibodies to detect antigens.
Q: What does “lab-on-a-chip” refer to?
A: Miniaturized devices that integrate multiple laboratory functions on a single chip.
Q: Define dynamic range in sensors.
A: The range of analyte concentrations a sensor can detect accurately.
Q: What are the key properties of a good biosensor?
A: High sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and stability.
Q: What is “signal-to-noise ratio” in the context of sensors?
A: The measure of the desired signal strength relative to the background noise.
Q: Why is calibration important for biosensors?
A: To ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
Q: What is an analyte?
A: The substance being measured by a sensor.
