Radioisotopes, Biology

Assignment Help:

Radioisotopes

Radioisotopes are those forms of an element which exhibit rzdioactivity and so can be used as markers or tracers. For this purpose, we first introduce the radioisotope in a molecule in the cell and then detect the radioactivity with the help of certain device. For example, if we replace a suitable hydrogen atom of thymidine by 3H, we may trace the course of thymidine in the cell. Since thymidine is a component of DNA but not of RNA, we can be sure that we are following only DNA metabolism. Similarly, to know the course of protein synthesis we may use radioactively labelled amino acids.

Radioisotopes are used to:

(a) measure the rates of metabolic turnover of a material within a cell or tissue,

(b) locate the site of synthesis of molecules,

(c) measure the rate of exchange of materials across cellular membranes,

(d) locate a molecule in a cell. Radioisotopes are widely applied to study also the precursor-product relathship.

Many times when a radioactively labelled mokcule (pncursor) is introduced into a system. The molecule is chemically converted into another form (product). For example, when radioactive iron is introduced in blood, radioactivity can be detected in liver femtin and haemoglobin of red blood cells. Similarly, radioactivity of 32P- labelled phosphate can be detected in many phospholipids.


Related Discussions:- Radioisotopes

COPD, descirbe the role of allied health profession all providing pulmonary...

descirbe the role of allied health profession all providing pulmonary rehabilitation during treatment of emphysema

Explain the female reproductive system, Explain the Female Reproductive Sys...

Explain the Female Reproductive System? The female reproductive system consists of the primary sex organs, the ovaries, and the accessory organs necessary to effect fertilizati

What is fermentation, What is fermentation? Name any two organic compounds ...

What is fermentation? Name any two organic compounds formed in this process

Determine the biological diversity of an ecosystem, Is monoculture a system...

Is monoculture a system that contributes to great biological diversity of an ecosystem? Monoculture means that in a large area a single crop (only single species of plant) is c

What is dry mass, What is dry mass? When biomasses are compared often t...

What is dry mass? When biomasses are compared often the method of dry mass is used. The dry mass is the total mass less the water mass of an individual. The total mass is also

Modern theory in biology, Modern Theory Naturalistic theory: Accordin...

Modern Theory Naturalistic theory: According to this theory Life originated upon our earth spontaneously from nonliving matter. But there are two significant points in this r

Define typical structures of the seed and define endosperm, What are typica...

What are typical structures of the seed? What is the endosperm? A typical seed is the composed of the embryo, endosperm and shell. Inside seeds of angiosperms there are one or

Hutchinson phyletic dieta, hi there,i would like u to help me with understa...

hi there,i would like u to help me with understanding Hutchinson phyletic dieta

Three irreversible reactions in the glycolytic pathway, Name the three irr...

Name the three irreversible reactions  in the glycolytic pathway. The three irreversible reactions in the glycolytic  pathway are : Glucose → Glucose-6-phosphate Fructose

Describe the symptoms of edema, Describe the clinical significance and symp...

Describe the clinical significance and symptoms of edema. How does edema (in its different forms listed in your text) appear on medical imaging examinations? Discuss any specific c

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