Understanding Isotopes and PET Scans

What defines an isotope of a particular element?

• The number of electrons

• The chemical symbol

• The mass number

• The atomic number

Which of the following is a common use of carbon-14?

• Nuclear power generation

• Food preservation

• Medical imaging

• Carbon dating

What is the significance of a radioisotope's half-life?

• It shows the isotope's atomic number

• It measures the time taken for half of the isotope to decay

• It indicates the isotope's stability

• It determines the isotope's chemical properties

How do PET scans help in medical diagnostics?

• By analyzing DNA sequences

• By producing images using radioisotopes

• By detecting sound waves

• By measuring blood pressure

What might an excess use of glucose in a PET scan indicate?

• A healthy organ

• A potential cancerous area

• A low energy area

• A malfunctioning PET machine