A small amount of radioisotope is made to replace a non-radioactive isotope of an element in a compound. The path of that radioisotope or one of its daughter nuclei (decomposition product) is then monitored by detection of emitted nuclear radiation. It is also called a radioactive label.
an isotope whose movement in the body can be followed because of the radiation it gives off
a physical or chemical tracer having radioactivity as its distinctive property
A weak radioactive substance injected into the bloodstream to conduct a nuclear scan
A small amount of radioisotope replacing a nonradioactive isotope of the element in a compound whose path (for example, in the body) or whose decomposition products are to be monitored by detection of radioctivity; also called a radioactive label.
A material that can be distinguished from its normal counterpart by its radioactivity and can be used to follow (trace) the metabolism of the normal substance.
A radioactive tracer, also called a radioactive label, is a substance containing a radioisotope. Tracers can be used to measure the speed of chemical processes and to track the movement of a substance through a natural system. Radioactive tracing was developed by George de Hevesy.