• Question: have you ever used a radioactive substance?

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      Asked by bluenoodle to Daniela ?, ☣ Danna, Jonny, Juan, Lindsay on 20 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Juan Ortiz

        Juan Ortiz answered on 20 Jun 2016:


        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.

      • Photo: Lindsay Robinson

        Lindsay Robinson answered on 20 Jun 2016:


        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.

      • Photo: Jonathan Hunter

        Jonathan Hunter answered on 20 Jun 2016:


        Nope, but I’d like to in the future!

      • Photo: Danna Gifford

        Danna Gifford answered on 21 Jun 2016:


        Nope, not me!

      • Photo: Daniela Lobo

        Daniela Lobo answered on 21 Jun 2016:


        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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