Question

Radioactive molecules can be used as tracers because of all of the following EXCEPT:

A: their exceptionally long half-lives contribute to stability.
This is correct answer
B: they participate in the same chemical reactions as their nonradioactive counterparts.
C: they are available as isotopes of common atoms found in living systems.
D: they can be administered in low doses that cause minimal damage to living tissue.
E: they emit energy that can be detected by an instrument.

Answer 1

Radioactive isotopes can be used as tracers to follow biochemical reactions and track the distribution of substances in living systems. They are also used in numerous medical applications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Radioactive isotopes have the same chemical properties as stable isotopes of the same element, but they emit radiation, which can be detected. If we replace one (or more) atom(s) with radioisotope(s) in a compound, we can track them by monitoring their radioactive emissions. This type of compound is called a radioactive tracer (or radioactive label). Radioisotopes are used to follow the paths of biochemical reactions or to determine how a substance is distributed within an organism. Radioactive tracers are also used in many medical applications, including both diagnosis and treatment. They are used to measure engine wear, analyze the geological formation around oil wells, and much more.