BIOLOGY Volume 2 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

12. MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

12.17. Biosensors

12.17.2. Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels

A widely used example of a biosensor is the Blood glucose meter employed by diabetic patients (Fig. 12.31). The biosensor contains the enzyme glucose oxidase in an immobilized form. The enzyme oxidizes the glucose in the blood, releasing electrons that generate an electric current proportional to The amount of glucose present. The biosensor is highly sensitive, capable of measuring glucose concentration in a single drop of blood and providing results within 20 seconds.

It is hoped that in the future such sensors could be implanted into the Blood Vessels beneath the Skin of diabetic patients, enabling them to monitor their Insulin requirements more precisely. If a biosensor were connected to a mini-pump so that it could automatically administer insulin when needed, the patient would effectively be provided with an artificial Pancreas. Such fine control would help reduce the secondary complications of diabetes, such as eye and Kidney damage, which occur in some patients As a result of sharp spikes in insulin concentration following injections.

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Fig. 12.31. A patient measuring their blood sugar level using an Exactech biosensor. After a pinprick, the patient places a drop of blood onto the test strip (protruding on the left in the photo). The digital display shows the blood sugar level, enabling the patient to accurately calculate the required insulin dose.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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