Radioactive isotopes are useful in biological studies because
A) an organism will take in a molecule with the isotope and use it normally, but the radioactive decay can be detected.
B) an organism will take in a molecule with the isotope but will only use it in a few specific reactions, not the normal ones.
C) an organism will take in the molecule with the isotope and then remove the isotope by sending it through the excretory system, while replacing the isotope with a normal atom.
D) they are easily visible and normal atoms are not.
E) they are easy and inexpensive to use in studies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of neutrons does not influence the chemical reactivity of the atom, so they will form the same molecules, which allows living organisms to take them in and use them as they would normally. It is also possible to trace the atom through the processes that occur in the organism.

Radioactive Isotopes Are Useful in Biological Studies Because