The document discusses the use of isotopes as tracers, highlighting their ability to be detected and estimated quantitatively. It outlines various applications in fields such as photosynthesis, disease diagnosis, industry, agriculture, and analytical chemistry, detailing specific examples like brain tumor detection and blood circulation studies. The text also covers the advantages and disadvantages of using tracers in different scientific contexts.

1. Isotopes as Tracers
K. REVATHI
20-MY-14
NGM COLLEGE,POLLACHI

2. Content
Introduction
Uses
Advantages of tracers
Disadvantages of tracers

3. what are radioactive tracers
 Radio active isotopes have a property due to which they can
easily be detected and estimated quantitatively.
 As such , if we want to trace the course of an atomic species
in a chemical or a physical change, we mix a small quantity
of the radioactive isotope with non-radioactive isotope.
Here we say Radioactive tracer or Radioactive indicator
or simply as Labelled or Tagged element.

4. Uses of tracers
Uses of tracers in studying reaction mechanisms
 a)Photosynthesis
 b)Hydrolysis of ester

5. a)Photosynthesis
 The Mechanism of the process of photosynthesis
taking place in plants has been studied by reacting
carbon dioxide containing oxygen with hydrogen.
 In this mechanism has been studied by using
Oxygen isotope.

7. b)Hydrolysis of ester
Mechanism of ester hydrolysis has been
studied by using oxygen isotope.

8. Uses of tracers
 Uses of tracers in the diagnosis of diseases:
 a) Location and detection of brain tumour
 b) Circulation of blood
 c) Pumping action of heart
 d) Functioning of thyroid gland
 e) Disorders associated with pregnancy
 f) Test for cancer growth

9. a) Location and detection of brain tumour
 Labelled iodine has been used to locate and detect the presence
of tumour.

10. b) Circulation of blood
 Radio sodium, has been used to study cases of restricted
circulation of blood.
 By moving the detector to different parts of the body, the
position of restriction can be located and the necessary
treatment applied.

11. c) Pumping action of heart
Pumping action of heart has been
studied by using radio sodium or
radioiodine.

12. d) Functioning of thyroid gland
 Radioisotope of iodine, has been used. It decays beta rays.
 Detection of these rays gives an information regarding the
functioning of the thyroid gland.

13. e) Disorders associated with pregnancy
Tracer ion has been used in studying the disorders
associated with pregnancy.

14. f)Test for cancer growth
Co emits high energy gamma rays which are used for
testing deeply seated cancer growth.

20. Uses of tracers in industry
 Determination of the wear of piston rings.
 Self – diffusion of metals
 Uniform mixing
 As Catalyst
 Mechanisms of reactions

23. Uses of tracers in agriculture

24. Uses of tracers in analytical chemistry