phosphorus-32

Jhonny: Thank you Mark, that really helped a lot, and I can now do my presentation easily.

Mark: I'm glad to hear this, and you can ask me if you need anything else. I'll leave you now to finish your work.

Phosphorus-32

Jhonny: I have so much work to do for chemistry.

His brother Mark enters the room.

Mark: What's wrong Jhonny, why are you upset?

Phosphorus-32

Jhonny: I have a presentation due tomorrow and I don't get what phosphorus-32 means.

Mark: Ohh, I know all about phosphorus-32. Do you need my help?

Jhonny: Yes please! That would be so helpful for me.

Mark: Alright, let's get started.

First of all phosphorus-32 is a radioactive isotope of phosphorus.

Jhonny: Ohh, yeah. I heard that from the teacher today but I need more information and clarification to complete my presentation.

Mark: Phosphorus-32 contains 15 protons and 17 neutrons, the only difference between phosphorus-32 and phosphorus-31 is that phosphorus-32 has one extra neutron.

Jhonny: Oh, I see. Where can we find this radioactive isotope?

Mark: Phosphorus-32 only exists in small quantities on Earth as it has a short half-life of 14.29 days and so, decays rapidly.

Jhonny: Can you give me more details?

Mark: Yes, sure. It can be found in many organic molecules. Many doctors have used Phosphorus-32 in medications, and they have used it in biochemistry and molecular biology where it can be used to trace phosphorylated molecules.

Jhonny: what would be an example of tracing phosphorylated molecules?

Mark:Oh, good question. For example they use it in elucidating metabolic pathways, and radioactively label DNA.

Jhonny: ..and for what's it used?

Mark: Phosphorus is used as a tracer in studies of the metabolism of nucleic acids and phosphorus, and also used in the treatment of certain diseases of the osseous and hematopoietic systems.

Jhonny: I have to search for the definitions of these scientific words.

Mark: Haha! Yes these words are pretty hard but it's okay you will understand them eventually.

Jhonny:Yes, I hope so. But i still have a few more questions what is it's benefits? And it's advantages and disadvantages?

Mark: It has two major benefits that make it particularly useful. First, it has a half-life of 14.3 days. And this is long enough to perform experiments that take place over days while retaining radioactivity, but short enough it is a beta emitter so it can easily be mentioned to check for spills and prevent contamination.

It's got a lot of benefits and advantages, I can mention one of them for you if you want.

Jhonny: Sure, go ahead!

Mark: One of it's disadvantages is that it's hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. By the same token, they present a disposal hazard.

And it also has so many advantages, and we mentioned this point when we where talking about it's benefits, it says that the half life of P-32 is approximately 14 days, and so it is possible to label DNA to a very high specific activity.

References:

• http://www.perkinelmer.com/Catalog/Category/ID/32P%20Radioactive%20Nucleotides?gclid=CIKKism1_MACFQGqaQodx1cAEw
• http://www.brown.edu/Administration/EHS/public/Phosphorus32.pdf
• http://www.ehs.msu.edu/radiation/programs_guidelines/radmanual/appendix_phosphorus_32.pdf
• http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/phosphorus-32