Question

Explain the role of radioactive isotopes in the field of medicine.

Answer 1

Radioactive isotopes:

1. The isotopes whose nuclei are unstable and dissipate excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiations in the form of alpha, beta and gamma rays are known as radioactive isotopes.
2. All chemical element has one or more radioactive isotopes.
3. Examples of radioactive isotopes: Carbon-14, Uranium-235, Sodium-24, Iodine-131, etc.

Applications of radioactive isotopes in medicine:

Iodine$-131$:

1. Iodine$-131$ is used in locating brain tumors, measuring cardiac output, and determining liver and thyroid activity.
2. Iodine$-131$ acts as a tracer to find the functioning rate of the thyroid gland in the case of goiter.

Cobalt$-60$:

1. Cobalt$-60$ is used as a source of radiation to arrest the development of cancer.
2. The treatment of cancer using Cobalt$-60$ is known as radiotherapy.
3. In radiotherapy, highly energetic gamma radiations from Cobalt$-60$ are directed to the cancerous cells to burn them.

Carbon$-14$:

Carbon$-14$ is used in studying abnormalities in metabolism due to diabetes, gout, anemia, and acromegaly.

Arsenic$-74$:

Arsenic$-74$ is used as a tracer to detect the presence of tumors.

Sodium$-24$:

Sodium$-24$ is used as a tracer to detect the presence of blood clots.