The basic elements in biosensors are the recognition element, reporting element, and measuring device. The typical structure for the biosensing process to occur is the one where the recognition element is first in the process, followed by the reporting element, and finally the measuring device. This simple structure, however, can be arranged in many ways, therefore creating different biosensors e.g., ELISA, lateral flow, or electrochemical. This work is a review from 2009 to 2023 of the literature focusing on describing the biosensor elements and their arrangements as well as describing their functions for several known biosensors. There is also a description of how the different arrangements affect the biosensor performance. The analysis is done independently of the different analytes, biosensor materials, or their fabrication. One objective is to inspire new biosensors by looking at structural changes in contrast with focusing on improving a synthesis, changing a concentration, or changing a material substrate. This work also aims at providing a synthetic framework to contribute to the understanding of a large amount of literature available in this field.