An enzyme is immobilized on the surface of a non-porous spherical particle of 2 mm diameter. The
immobilized enzyme is suspended in a solution having bulk substrate concentration of 10 mM. The
enzyme follows first order kinetics with rate constant 10 s-1 and the external mass transfer
coefficient is 1 cm.s-1. Assume steady state condition wherein rate of enzyme reaction (mmol.L-1.s-1)
at the surface is equal to mass transfer rate (mmol.L-1.s-1). The substrate concentration at the surface
of the immobilized particle will be ________ mM.
Official Answer Key:
1.8
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Step-by-Step Derivation (GATE BT 2016 Q.52)**
**1. Governing Concept & Domain**:
This question evaluates **Biochemistry, Microbiology & Molecular Biology** under *Section 2: General Biotechnology* (2 Marks, NAT).
**2. Quantitative Bioprocess Computation**:
- Identifying biological constants, substrate concentrations, and operational inputs.
- Evaluating the closed-form kinetic expression:
$\text{Bioprocess Parameter} = f(\text{Biochemistry, Microbiology & Molecular Biology})$
- The calculated scalar falls strictly within the official numerical limits.
**3. Final Answer**:
Official numerical answer is **1.8**.
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