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Chapter 18: Problem 60

Each of the following isotopes has been used medically for the purpose indicated. Suggest reasons why the particular element might have been chosen for this purpose. a. cobalt-57, for study of the body's use of vitamin \(\mathbf{B}_{12}\) b. calcium- \(47,\) for study of bone metabolism c. iron-59, for study of red blood cell function

Short Answer

Expert verified
Cobalt-57 is used for studying the body's use of vitamin B12 because it is chemically similar to both iron and vitamin B12. It binds with B12, creating a radioactive complex that emits gamma radiation, and allows tracking of B12 absorption and utilization. Calcium-47 is used for studying bone metabolism due to its biochemical similarity to stable calcium isotopes, permitting it to act as a radiotracer for bone mineralization/demineralization processes. Lastly, Iron-59 is used to study red blood cell function as it is a crucial component of hemoglobin. Its radioactivity allows researchers to non-destructively monitor the uptake and distribution of iron, providing insights into the life cycle, production, and degradation of red blood cells.

Step by step solution

01

I - Cobalt-57 for studying body's use of vitamin B12

We will examine the properties of cobalt-57 and try to determine why it is chosen for studying the body's use of vitamin B12. Cobalt-57 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 271.79 days. The decay of cobalt-57 emits gamma radiation, which can be detected easily without causing significant harm to the body tissues. Gamma radiation has high penetrating power, so it can be picked up by gamma cameras for diagnostic purposes. Since cobalt is chemically very similar to both iron and vitamin B12, it can be used as a tracer to track the absorption and utilization of vitamin B12 in the body. Cobalt-57 binds with B12, creating a radioactive complex that can be detected using gamma cameras, thus mapping the use of vitamin B12.
02

II - Calcium-47 for studying bone metabolism

Let's look at Calcium-47 and determine why it is used for studying bone metabolism. Calcium-47 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 4.54 days. It decays, emitting beta particles which can be detected with minimal disturbance to the biological tissues. Since the primary component of bones is calcium, using a calcium isotope is ideal for studying bone metabolism. Calcium-47 is biochemically indistinguishable from the stable calcium isotopes, making it a perfect radiotracer for studying how bones mineralize or demineralize over time. Being radioactive, Calcium-47 can be detected externally, allowing researchers to monitor its movement in the body and gain insights into the bone-building processes.
03

III - Iron-59 for studying red blood cell function

Now, let's analyze why iron-59 is used to study red blood cell function. Iron-59 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 45 days. It emits beta rays during decay, which can be detected without causing significant harm to the body tissues. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. For this reason, using iron tracers is logical for studying RBC functions. Iron-59 is biologically similar to stable iron isotopes and, when injected, is distributed throughout the body and taken up by red blood cells. The radioactivity of iron-59 enables researchers to monitor its uptake and distribution in a non-destructive manner, providing insights into the life cycle, production, and degradation of red blood cells.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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