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

Psychoactive substance use disorders, PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS:...

PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS: Drug: It is derived from a French word 'drogue'. A medical substance used in the treatment of disease. (Taber's  Dictionary).  'Drug d

What is pulmonary venous congestion ?, Q. What is Pulmonary Venous Congesti...

Q. What is Pulmonary Venous Congestion ? In pulmonary venous hypertension, the earliest change is an increase in calibre of the upper lobe vessels. If the upper lobe veins meas

Major organic molecules for living beings, Q. What are the major purposes o...

Q. What are the major purposes of the organic molecules for living beings? Organic molecules, like, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins perform several functions for living orga

Explain magnetic stirrer - food microbiology, Explain Magnetic Stirrer - Fo...

Explain Magnetic Stirrer - Food Microbiology It can be used for mixing ingredients at the time of media or reagents preparation. Mixing happens with spinning of a teflon coat

A light microscope with unlimited resolution, Theoretically you can build a...

Theoretically you can build a light microscope with unlimited magnification, but can you build a light microscope with unlimited resolution? Why or why not? (Hint: what really cont

Stem - plant growth substances, Stem - Plant Growth Substances The rol...

Stem - Plant Growth Substances The role of auxins, cytokinins, ethylene and abscisic acid in controlling the apical bud dominance and lateral bud dormancy (Apical Dominance) a

Define the estimation of haemoglobin in blood, Define the Estimation of Hae...

Define the Estimation of Haemoglobin in Blood? Several methods are used to determine haemoglobin. In these methods hemoglobin is measured as oxyhaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin,

Explain cell surface membrane, Diagram of a cell surface membrane.  ...

Diagram of a cell surface membrane.  State the width of a cell surface membrane. (i) On which side of the membrane, shown in Figure, X or Y, is the cytoplasm of the cell?

Explain type 2 diabetes mellitus, Q. Explain Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? ...

Q. Explain Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? It is the most common form of diabetes accounting for 90-95% of patients with diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was previously called as N

Chemical stress, Chemical Stress Survival of cells is dependent on car...

Chemical Stress Survival of cells is dependent on carrying out of a set of chemical reactions (metabolic reactions) in a particular order. This results in a net gain in mass a

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