What Is "Tracer Technique"� And Its Uses?

A radioactive isotope behaves in just the same way as the normal isotope can be inside a living organism. But the location and concentration of a radioactive isotope can be determined easily by measuring the radiation, it emits. A radioactive isotope acts as an indicator or tracer that makes it possible to follow the course of a chemical or biological process .The technique is to substitute radioactive atoms for the stable atoms of same kind in a substance and then to follow the "tagged" atoms with the help of radiation detector in the process.    

Traces are used in agriculture to study the uptake of a fertilizer by a plant .For example, if a plant is given radioactive carbon-14 then the plant releases "beta radiation" and thus by measuring radioactivity in different parts of the plant. This technique can also help in elaborating the complex process of photosynthesis. The tracer technique also use for identifying faults in underground pipes.      

Traces are widely used in medicine to study the process of digestion and the way of chemical substance move in the body. Certain organs selectively absorb some chemicals. For example "radio_iodine"is absorbed mostly by the thyroid gland, phosphorus by bones and cobalt by liver. They can serve as tracer. The dose of radiation has to be carefully controlled otherwise the radiation could do more damage than help.