19,879
edits
Changes
no edit summary
==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
A '''radioactive tracer''' is an [[Radioactive TracerUnstable Isotope|radioactive tracersunstable isotope]] which is injected into a [[compound]] containing a [[radioactive]] [[isotope]] that can be used patient to image specific [[gland]]s, [[organ]]s or trace the flow of [[fluid]]s through around the body.
===About Radioactive Tracers===
: In '''radioactive tracers''' the [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]] is part of a [[compound]].
: '''Radioactive tracers''' can be used to image specific [[gland]]s, [[organ]]s or trace the flow of [[fluid]]s through the body.
: '''Radioactive tracers''' are usually [[gamma-ray]] [[emit]]ters because [[Gamma-ray]]s can penetrate most [[material]]s so most of the [[gamma-ray]]s leave the body without being [[reflect]]ed, [[refract]]ed or [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by the [[tissue]].
: Different [[gland]]s and [[organ]]s collect different [[compound]]s from the [[blood]] stream. A [[compound]] containing a [[radioactive]] [[isotope]] can be injected into the [[blood]] and this will accumulate in the desired [[gland]] or [[organ]]. While there the [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotopes]] [[Radioactive Decay|decay]] and this can be detected. This can be used to create an image of that [[gland]] or [[organ]].
: [[Fluid]]s in certain [[organ]]s can become blocked. These blockages can be detected by injecting or ingesting a [[radioactive]] [[isotope]] which will accumulate at the blockage. This accumulation can then be detected as the [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotopes]] [[Radioactive Decay|decays]] to produce [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiation]].