connection: radioactive isotopes can help or harm us

Question 1

can living cells distinguish between isotopes of the same element?

Answer 1

no, living cells cannot distinguish between isotopes of the same element

therefore, when radioactive compounds are used in metabolic processes, they act as tracers

Question 2

what can radioactivity be detected by?

Answer 2

by instruments

with instruments, the fate of radioactive tracers can be monitored in living organisms

Question 3

relating to radioactivity, biologists use what in research?

Answer 3

radioactive tracers

Question 4

what is frequently used in medical diagnosis?

Answer 4

radioactive tracers

Question 5

imaging instrument that uses positron-emission tomography (PET)

what is PET useful for?

Answer 5

detects location of injected radioactive materials

PET is useful for diagnosing heart disorders and cancer and in brain research

Question 6

what are the dangers associated with using radioactive substances?

Answer 6

• uncontrolled exposure can cause damage to some molecules in a living cell, especially DNA
• chemical bonds are broken by the emitted energy, which causes abnormal bonds to form