Follow the Atoms in Food Molecules

The purpose of using isotopes to label molecules in the body of an organism is

• To increase the mass of the molecules

• To track metabolic processes and biochemical pathways

• To distinguish between different elements

• For decorative labeling purposes

Fill in the blank: A regular nitrogen atom has a molecular weight of 14, but an isotope of nitrogen has a molecular weight of ____.

• 15

• 14

• 16

• 17

Which of the following is a form of atom that is heavier than the usual atoms for a particular element?

• Isotope

• Molecule

• Ion

• Electron

True or False: Isotopes behave the same way in chemical reactions as regular atoms.

• True

• False

What is the purpose of using isotopes in body?

• Used as Tracers

• Used as Markers

• Used as Dyes

• Used as Sensors

If the ¹⁴C atoms were in the protein and fat molecules in the brine shrimp that the herring fish ate, where would you expect to find the ¹⁴C atoms at the end of the experiment?

• In the muscle and fat tissues of the herring fish

• In the remains of the brine shrimp

• In the water column

• In the sediment

What happens to the ¹⁴C atoms of the shrimp after being consumed by the herring fish?

• They integrate into the tissues of the herring fish

• They remain inside the shrimp

• They are excreted immediately

• They diffuse into the surrounding water

The results show that none of the ¹⁴C atoms that the herring fish ate remain in its body.

• Yes

• No

• Some remain

• Inconclusive

What does experiment results with ¹⁴C atoms that the herring fish show?

• None of the ¹⁴C atoms left the fish's body.

• Some of the ¹⁴C atoms left the fish's body.

• It is unclear if the ¹⁴C atoms left the fish's body.

In the study, it was observed that some of the ¹⁴C atoms consumed by the herring fish were found in different molecular structures.

• Some ¹⁴C atoms were found in different molecular structures.

• All ¹⁴C atoms remained within the original molecules.

• No ¹⁴C atoms were detected in other molecules.

• The study did not monitor the movement of ¹⁴C atoms.