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

Stretch receptors, Stretch Receptors Stretch receptors able of percept...

Stretch Receptors Stretch receptors able of perception of muscle tension or stretch are distributed in the connective tissue related with muscles of many groups of animals. Th

Nutrition intervention, Nutrition intervention Nutrition intervention, ...

Nutrition intervention Nutrition intervention, the third step of  the nutrition care process, is a specific set of activities and associated materials used  to address the prob

Respiration, Why is the skin on worms, the gills in fish, and the lungs in ...

Why is the skin on worms, the gills in fish, and the lungs in humans good epithelial surfaces for respiration?

Which is used to refer iron-containing in muscle cells, In biological studi...

In biological studies which of the below is used to refer to iron-containing, oxygen-binding, conjugated protein complex present in sarcoplasm of muscle cells? a) Myelin b)

Cornea - organogenesis of eye and limb, Cornea - Organogenesis of Eye a...

Cornea - Organogenesis of Eye and Limb The fully formed cornea contains 2-cell layered epithelium and the stroma made of extra cellular secreted materials. The bulk of the

Can enhancers work in trans, Can enhancers work in trans? That is, can an e...

Can enhancers work in trans? That is, can an enhancer on one piece of DNA activate a promoter on another piece of DNA. Propose an experiment to test this. Be sure to discuss any ap

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Q. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis? As d...

Q. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis? As discussed in the case study above, the common symptoms are: 1. Mild abdominaI discomfort, an urgent need to defecate several times a da

Termination and follow-up in diabetes mellitus, Q. Termination and Follow-u...

Q. Termination and Follow-up in diabetes mellitus? After plan is implemented, you have to assess the progress. Slowly start winding up the contact with the client and the famil

What do you understand by parapodia, What do you understand by Parapodia? ...

What do you understand by Parapodia? Paired lateral, unjointed appendages of polychaete worms. Parapodia have a variety of shapes, and their appearance is related to their nume

What is the official name of pyruvic acid, What is the official name of pyr...

What is the official name of pyruvic acid? Pyruvic acid is 2-oxopropanoic acid. It is thus a molecule made of three linearly bound carbons with one extremity forming the organi

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