Pharmaceuticals (FINAL)

Question 1

What is an atom composed of?

Answer 1

A nucleus at the center and one or more electrons rotating around it.

Question 2

What does the nucleus of an atom contain?

Answer 2

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons.

Question 3

What is the atomic number (Z)?

Answer 3

The number of protons in a nucleus.

Question 4

What is denoted by N in an atomic nucleus?

Answer 4

The number of neutrons.

Question 5

What is the mass number (A)?

Answer 5

The total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) in a nucleus, A=Z+NA =
Z + NA=Z+N.

Question 6

If aluminum has an atomic weight of 27 and 14 neutrons, what is its atomic number?

Answer 6

13 (since Z=A−NZ = A - NZ=A−N).

Question 7

What is a nuclide?

Answer 7

An atomic species characterized by its specific number of protons (Z), neutrons (N), and nuclear energy state.

Question 8

What is a radionuclide?

Answer 8

An unstable or radioactive nuclide that decays by spontaneous fission, α-particle, β-particle, or γ-ray emission.

Question 9

Define isotopes.

Answer 9

Atoms of the same element with different atomic weights; same Z but different N.

Question 10

What are isobars?

Answer 10

Atoms with the same atomic weight (A) but different atomic numbers (Z).

Question 11

Define isotones.

Answer 11

Atoms with the same number of neutrons (N) but different elements.

Question 12

What is radioactivity?

Answer 12

The phenomenon where one nuclide transforms into another with the emission of energy as radiation.

Question 12

What is a nuclear equation?

Answer 12

A representation that summarizes a nuclear reaction, balancing mass and atomic numbers on both sides.

Question 13

What is the difference between stable isotopes and radioisotopes?

Answer 13

Stable isotopes do not change over time; radioisotopes decay over time.

Question 14

What is the SI unit for radioactivity?

Answer 14

Becquerel (Bq), which equals one disintegration per second.

Question 15

What processes can radionuclides undergo during decay?

Answer 15

Spontaneous fission, α-decay, β-decay, β+ decay, electron capture, and isomeric transition (IT).

Question 16

Describe β- decay.

Answer 16

A neutron transforms into a proton, releasing an electron (negatron) and an antineutrino.

Question 16

What happens during α-decay?

Answer 16

A heavy nucleus releases an α particle (two protons and two neutrons).

Question 17

What occurs during β+ decay?

Answer 17

A proton transforms into a neutron, releasing a positron and a neutrino.

Question 18

What is electron capture?

Answer 18

An electron is captured, converting a proton into a neutron and releasing a neutrino.

Question 19

What is isomeric transition (IT)?

Answer 19

A nucleus in an excited state releases a γ-ray to transition to a lower energy state.

Question 20

What is a radiopharmaceutical?

Answer 20

A radioactive compound used for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, primarily for diagnosis.

Question 20

Define half-life (t1/2).

Answer 20

The time required for a radioisotope to reduce its initial radioactivity to half.

Question 20

What is Radiogardase®?

Answer 20

An FDA-approved oral medication for internal radiation contamination, containing Prussian blue.

Question 20

What is radiolabeling?

Answer 20

The process of substituting atoms in a molecule with radioactive atoms to track metabolic processes.

Question 21

How is positron emission tomography (PET) used?

Answer 21

To create high-quality images showing substrate metabolism and tumor activity, better than CT and MRI.