Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
on a DC (ramp or constant) potential [66]. A plot of the AC current
vs. sweep potential produces a derivative-type polarographic curve
[4].
Antioxidants
Substances that at low concentrations than those
of an oxidizable biochemical substrate markedly delay or prevent
oxidation of this substrate [67]. Their behavior could be ascribed
to scavenging reactive radicals and chelation of redox-active metals,
particularly iron and copper. The most active and evaluated dietary
antioxidants belong to the family of phenolic and polyphenolic
compounds.
Antioxidative activity
Complex parameter based on the (bio)
chemical reactivity of antioxidants. The antioxidative activity
belongs to characteristics typically defined operationally regarding
the procedure used. This applies to the utilization of DNA-based
biosensoraswell.
Array electrodes
Replacement of a single electrode (with dimen-
sions in the micrometer or centimeter range) by an array of
(ultra)microelectrodes [66].
Biological recognition system/biological receptor
An element that
translates information from the biochemical domain, usually an
analyteconcentration,intoachemicalorphysicaloutputsignalwith
a defined sensitivity. The main purpose of the recognition system is
toprovidethesensorwithahighdegreeofselectivityfortheanalyte
to be detected [6].
Bases of nucleic acids
Nitrogenous bases (purines such as adenine
and guanine or pyrimidines such as cytosine, thymine, and uracil).
Adenine, guanine, and cytosine are found in both deoxynucleotides
and ribonucleotides, whereas uracil is found primarily in ribonu-
cleotides, and thyminein deoxynucleotides.
Biosensor
An integrated device incorporating a biological/
biomimetic recognition system either integrated within or inti-
mately associated with a physicochemical transducer [68]. Biosen-
sors are chemical sensors in which the recognition system utilizes a
biochemicalmechanism [6].
