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How can nuclear radiation be used to explore internal organs?
Gamma-emitting tracers are injected or swallowed by a patient and the gamma cameras create an image showing where the tracer has gone.
What must the half-life be for the gamma-emitting tracer and why?
It must be short enough so that most of the nuclei will decay shortly after the image is taken to limit the patient’s radiation dose.
How long does the half-life of a gamma-emitting tracer last?
About 6 hours normally.
How can you control or destroy unwanted tissue? (1)
Narrow beams of gamma radiation can be focused on tumour cells to destroy them.
Why is gamma used to destroy tumour cells?
It can penetrate tumours from outside the body.
How can you control or destroy unwanted tissues? (2)
Beta or gamma-emitting implants can be surgically placed inside, or next to, tumours.
Why must the beta or gamma-emitting implants’ half-life be long?
To be effective
Why must the beta or gamma-emitting implants’ half-lif e short?
So it doesn’t continue to irradiate the patient after treatment.
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