Yes. I have done experiments consisting on labeling a piece of DNA with a radioactive isotope called phosphor 32 in order to study how this piece of DNA is capable to bind to a protein. This isotope is not the most dangerous and most radioactive material, but still generates radiation and it is necessary to work under a protective screen, two pair of gloves and check every so often if there is any radiation in your hands with a special radioactivity counter.
No, nothing. There’s an specialised area of chemistry called radiochemistry. They use radioactive atoms in molecules -usually just one per molecule. They can monitor the radioactivity signal and it helps them to discover out how reactions work. We call this the mechanism of a reaction.
Yes, very often. For example, for DNA labelling and microscopy.
There is big microscope called TEM in which sometimes you have to use a radioactive compound to stain your sample, so you can see it.
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