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

Botany, cellular endosperm diagrammatic view

cellular endosperm diagrammatic view

Explain the nutrient requirements during lactation, Normal 0 fa...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE

Define precautions for check the presence of rhodamine b, Define Precaution...

Define Precautions for Check the Presence of Rhodamine B? 1. Sample should be clean and dry. 2. Dispose off the paraffin oil carefully, so that it does not contaminate food/

Mycoplasmosi, MYCOPLASMOSIS Mycoplasma organisms are the smallest free li...

MYCOPLASMOSIS Mycoplasma organisms are the smallest free living, lack of cell-wall and bounded by a triple layer of plasma membrane. The organisms are pleuomorphic in shape, viz.

Competition - processes in succession , Competition - Processes in Successi...

Competition - Processes in Succession The aggregation of individuals in an area leads to inter specific and intra specific competition. The competition is usually for

Requirements of glutamine in diverticular disease, Q. Requirements of Gluta...

Q. Requirements of Glutamine in diverticular disease? Glutamine: Wile specific nutrients that may have an impact on diverticula disease have not been studied as thoroughly as t

Differentiate between glycogenesis and glycogenolysis, Differentiate betwee...

Differentiate between glycogenesis and glycogenolysis. The synthesis  of glycogen in liver and muscle  is  called glycogenesis.  The breakdown of glycogen in the liver (glycoge

Explain metastatic carcinoma, Explain Metastatic carcinoma Metastatic ...

Explain Metastatic carcinoma Metastatic carcinoma:- Cancer that can be  transferred from one part of the body to other unrelated parts.

Explain trichomoniasis, Trichomoniasis  Oral metronidazole has been the...

Trichomoniasis  Oral metronidazole has been the treatment of choice for trichomoniasis. Tinidazole (Tindamax - Medical Letter 2004; 46:70), a nitroimidazole similar to metronid

Which is the autotrophic group responsible for production, Which is the aut...

Which is the autotrophic group responsible for the production of most part of the molecular oxygen of earth? Cyanobacteria and Algae of the phytoplankton are the organisms that

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