Isotopes in Biochemistry Lecture 4 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between stable and unstable isotopes?

Stable isotopes do not decay and do not produce radiation, while unstable isotopes readily decay and give off subatomic particles and electromagnetic energy. (correct)

Stable isotopes can only exist in nature, while unstable isotopes are artificially produced in labs.

Stable isotopes are used in medicine, while unstable isotopes are not.

Stable isotopes have a longer half-life compared to unstable isotopes.

How is the distribution of a radioisotope tracked in nuclear medicine?

By capturing subatomic particles emitted by the radioisotope

By measuring the amount of radiation it gives off (correct)

By using radioactive iodine-131 for tracking purposes

By assessing the level of stability of the radioisotope

What is the purpose of using technetium-99m in nuclear medicine?

To diagnose and treat thyroid function

To scan various organs like the brain, heart, and lungs (correct)

To test for thyroid activity

To measure blood volume in the body

How is radioactive iodine-131 used in diagnosing thyroid activity?

It is administered to the patient to measure the amount of radioactivity in the thyroid gland. Signup and view all the answers

What is the half-life of tritium, a radioisotope of hydrogen?

12 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of stable isotopes in nuclear medicine?

To track the distribution of radioisotopes in the body Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of isotopes mentioned in the text?

Stable and unstable Signup and view all the answers

Which element has isotopes with unique names deuterium and tritium?

Hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with excessive exposure to radioactive isotopes?

Damage to human cells and potential cancer development Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a diagnostic application of radioactive iodine-131?

Diagnosing hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of radioactive isotopes used in nuclear medicine?

They have short half-lives and typically decay before causing damage to the patient's body. Signup and view all the answers

What is one medical application of radioactive isotopes?

Imaging specific organs like brain, heart, and lungs Signup and view all the answers

What is an isotope?

An atom with the same atomic number but different mass number Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the atomic number of an atom?

Number of protons in the nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the mass number of an atom?

Total nucleon number Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about isotopes is true?

Isotopes have different atomic masses Signup and view all the answers

What is the atomic number of carbon?

6 Signup and view all the answers

How many protons does a carbon-13 isotope have?

6 Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes isotopes of the same element from each other?

Mass number Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Isotopes are variations of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.
All isotopes of a given element have the same atomic number and position in the periodic table.
Stable isotopes have a stable proton-neutron combination and do not decay, while unstable isotopes are radioactive and do decay.
Some elements can only exist as unstable isotopes.
Hydrogen has two stable isotopes: deuterium and tritium.
Stable isotopes do not emit radiation or pose health risks, while radioactive isotopes do.
The half-life of a radioisotope is the time it takes for half of a sample to decay.
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive isotopes in medical imaging and therapeutic applications.
Medical uses of radioactive isotopes include diagnosing and treating various conditions, such as thyroid disorders and cancer.
Technetium-99m is used in SPECT and PET imaging to examine organ function.
Iodine-131 is used in thyroid function testing.
Radioactive isotopes have short half-lives and typically decay before causing damage to patients.
Commonly used radioisotopes in medicine include technetium-99m, iodine-131, and 59 Fe.
Radioisotopes are used in cancer treatment, particularly for eye and skin cancer.
Radioisotopes are used for anemia diagnosis and gamma ray irradiation of tumors.
Technetium-99m, iodine-131, and xenon-133 are used for brain, thyroid, liver, bone marrow, lung, heart, and intestinal scanning.
Gold-198 is used for liver disease diagnosis.