Autoradiography, Biology

Assignment Help:

Autoradiography

Autoradiography is a modification of the radioactive tracer technique. In this technique, the radioactivity is detected by a thin film of photographic emulsion containing silver compounds which is put over a labelled cell or tissue. The rays emitted by radioisotope from the cell or tissue expose the photographic emulsion like a photographic film which is developed in a dark room. Silver grains are seen as black dots on parts of the specimen where radioisotope is accumulated.

Autoradiography reveals the metabolic processes of the cell. For example, by labelling cells with 3H thymidine, it is found that silver grains are localised in nucleus, which shows that DNA is synthesised in the nucleus. Similarly, by labelling cells with 3H uridine, silver grains are first seen in nucleus and then after some time these grains appear in the cytoplasm. This clearly demonstrates that RNA is initially synthesised in the nucleus but later on migrates to the cytoplasm.

Different radioisotopes are used for localising different macromolecules. As stated earlier,  cells are labelled with 3H thymidine for the studX of DNA metabolism, 3H uridine to study RNA metabolism, tritiated amino acids for examining the synthesis of proteins, treated monosaccharides such as 3H-mannose and 3H-fucose for examining the synthesis of polysaccharides.


Related Discussions:- Autoradiography

Deficiency diseases-neonatal hypoglycaemia, Neonatal  hypoglycaemia Hy...

Neonatal  hypoglycaemia Hypoglycaemia is a metabolic condition of newborn piglets that develops in first few days of life due to decreased caloric intake and increased cataboli

Explain implant mobility and discomfort - implant interface, Implant Mobili...

Implant Mobility and Discomfort Implant mobility is an indication of the lack of osseointegration. Even if periimplant disease has progressed relatively far, implants may still

Formation of double bonds, In eukaryotes  the SER has enzymes  able to begi...

In eukaryotes  the SER has enzymes  able to begin  double  bonds into fatty acyl CoA molecules  in an oxidation  reaction  which uses molecular  oxygen.  This reaction is catalyzed

Explain the heart rate monitoring (hrm) method, Explain the Heart Rate Moni...

Explain the Heart Rate Monitoring (HRM) Method? HRM is a method to measure the daily energy expenditure of free-living individuals, based on the relationship of heart rate and

What is the function of enterogastrone, Where is it produced and what is th...

Where is it produced and what is the function of enterogastrone in the digestive process? When the chyme is too fatty there is a secretion of enterogastrone by the duodenum. Th

Review of literature - steps of research process, Determine the purpose of ...

Determine the purpose of  the study: There must be  a sound  rationale  or justification for every research project.  If  the pui-pose of  the  study is clearly presented and just

What is the significance of the -r group in amino acid, What is the signifi...

What is the significance of the -R group (variable radical) in an amino acid molecule? The -R group, also known as a lateral chain, is the variable part of the amino acid molec

What are imago and nymph, Q. What are imago and nymph? Nymphs are larva...

Q. What are imago and nymph? Nymphs are larvae of hemimetabolic insects (like grasshoppers). They are very similar to the adult insect although smaller, In holometabolic insect

Other complications of prosthetic valves, Other Complications of Prosthetic...

Other Complications of Prosthetic Valves :  One of the dreaded complications of mitral valve replacement is ventricular rupture. It is difficult to manage and so it is better avoi

How to indicate an av block, During the course of a physiology laboratory, ...

During the course of a physiology laboratory, a student finds that her PR interval is 0.24 second. Concerned, she takes her own ECG again an hour later and sees an area of the ECG

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd