Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

3.1.4. Applications

Radioisotopes are applied in many ways because of their chemical properties and as a source of radiation.

1. They are used as tracers to provide diagnostic information about a person's internal anatomy and function of specific organs in tomography.
2. They are used to treat hemopoietic forms of tumors.
3. They are used to sterilize syringes and other medical equipments eg.gamma rays .
4. They are used to stop sprouting of root crops after harvesting, to kill parasites and pests, and to control ripening of stored fruit and vegetables.
5. They are used to trace chemical and physiological processes occurring in living organisms, such as DNA replication or amino acid transport.
6. They help to examine welds, to detect leaks, erosion and corrosion of metals.
7. They are used to trace and analyze pollutants, to study the movement of surface water, and to measure water runoffs from rain and snow, as well as the flow rates of streams and rivers.
8. They are used to measure ages of rocks, minerals, and fossil materials.