Question

Radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes) of elements are commonly used in biological experiments as tracers to follow and detect molecules of interest. For example, photosynthetic intermediates produced during carbon dioxide conversion to sugars were detected by exposing algae to carbon dioxide containing a radioactive form of carbon. This radioactive carbon could be rapidly detected in molecules produced by the algae during carbon fixation and sugar production. Why can radioisotopes substitute for non-radioactive isotopes of elements in experiments

Answer 1

Due to emission of radiation by Radioisotopes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Radioisotopes substitute for non-radioactive isotopes of elements in experiments because the radioactive isotopes releases radiation which can be seen on a specific device while non-radioactive isotopes emitted no radiation and we can not see the pathway of the reaction which occurs inside the plant body so that's why radioisotopes are used in place for non-radioactive isotopes in the experiment for detection.