2006-08-08 23:41:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
they are radioactive materials injected into the body to allow scanners to follow the flow of the materials through the body
2006-08-08 23:45:50 · answer #1 · answered by barhud 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most elements have at least one radioactive isotope. A tracer is used to trace a biological pathway, by using only one radio istope and seeing where it comes out. Such as where does the O come from in the photosynthesis of sugar, the H2O or the CO2? Mark one of the O 's and find out if it goes into the sugar or the O2 given off. An easier test is where the radioisotope is just poured down a pipe and followed with a Geiger counter to see if the pipe has any leaks.In medicineit is used to check the the body organs to see if they are absorbing their materials correctly, or if arteries are open, etc.
2006-08-09 14:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some radioactive isotopes are used as tracers in medical investigations, biological research and agriculture. Basically, radioactive tracers are used as a guide to determine where the problem area is this is done by following the movement of a substance through a system, it can also be used to measure the speed of a chemical processes.
2006-08-09 01:22:26 · answer #3 · answered by xtra-great-gal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A radioactive tracer, also called a radioactive label, is a substance containing a radioisotope. Tracers can be used to measure the speed of chemical processes and to track the movement of a substance through a natural system. Radioactive tracing was developed by George de Hevesy.
The tracers are applied in autoradiography, nuclear medicine, including single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography.
2006-08-09 00:42:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A radioactive tracer is a substance containing a radioactive isotope (radioisotope). The tracers can be used to measure the speed of chemical processes and was developed by George de Hevesy. Radioactive tracers can also be used to track the movement of a substance through a natural system.
The tracers are applied in autoradiography, nuclear medicine (including single photon emission computed tomography or SPECT), and positron emission tomography.
2006-08-08 23:54:03 · answer #5 · answered by SindhuVS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are radioactive materials injecsted or injected so your insides can be mapped out. it's hard to see soft tissue so you need somehting with a better relax ratio so you add the radioactive stuff. it's safe so don't worry about exposure
2006-08-09 10:37:44 · answer #6 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋