Enzyme is immobilised in 8 mm diameter agarose beads at a concentration of 0.018 kg protein m-3 gel. Ten beads are immersed in a well-mixed solution containing 3.2 ×10-3 kg m-3 substrate. The effective diffusivity of substrate in agarose gel is 2.1 × 10-9 m2 s-1. Kinetics of the enzyme can be approximated as first order with specific rate constant 3.11 × 105 s– 1 per kg protein. Mass transfer effects outside the particles are negligible. Estimate the volume per bead.

• A. 2.65×10-7 m3
• B. 2.66×10-7 m3
• C. 2.67×10-7 m3
• D. 2.68×10-7 m3