radioisotope

/ˌˈreɪdioʊˌaɪsəˈtoʊp/
IPA guide

Other forms: radioisotopes

Definitions of radioisotope
  1. noun
    a radioactive isotope of an element; produced either naturally or artificially
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    types:
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    tracer
    (radiology) any radioactive isotope introduced into the body to study metabolism or other biological processes
    label
    a radioactive isotope that is used in a compound in order to trace the mechanism of a chemical reaction
    iodine-131
    heavy radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 8 days; used in a sodium salt to diagnose thyroid disease and to treat goiter
    iodine-125
    light radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 60 days; used as a tracer in thyroid studies and as a treatment for hyperthyroidism
    type of:
    isotope
    one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons
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