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

Where does the water resorbed after glomerular filtration, Q. Where does mo...

Q. Where does most of the water resorbed after glomerular filtration go? What are the other substances resorbed by the nephron tubules? Only 0.5 to 1% of the glomerular filtrat

Primate heritage, Table provides you the classification of the living prima...

Table provides you the classification of the living primates. The primate fossil history dates back to 60 million years i.e. to Paleocene times, more specifically to the cretaceous

Define type of instruments used in spectral techniques, Define Type of Inst...

Define Type of Instruments used in Spectral Techniques? A wide range of instruments are available, possessing a combination of features but there is no rigid classification of

Ecology, What is the role of ecology to the evolution theory.

What is the role of ecology to the evolution theory.

What is the life duration of the red blood cells, Q. On average what is the...

Q. On average what is the life duration of the red blood cells? Where are they destroyed? What is the destination of the heme groups after the destruction of hemoglobin molecules?

Define reaction of fehling soxhlet method, Define Reaction of Fehling Soxhl...

Define Reaction of Fehling Soxhlet method? The reducing sugars formed are acted upon by the alkali of Fehling's solution to form enediols. These enediols are very unstable and

Explain adsorption - colloidal particle, Adsorption - Colloidal particle ...

Adsorption - Colloidal particle Colloidal particles attract and hold to their surfaces the molecules of various gases, vapors and other matter with which they come into contact

In which phase mother exchanges substances to fetus, Exchange of oxygen, nu...

Exchange of oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide and waste products from mother to fetus takes place through diffusion across the: a) Chorionic villi (pron: core-e-on-ick villi)

How vibrio parahaemolyticus spread in humans, How VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS s...

How VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS spread in humans Associated foods:- Vehicle foods for outbreak are raw, improperly cooked, or  cooked recontaminated seafoods, such as, oysters, s

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