How could the identity of a compound on an autoradigram be determined?
Radioactive isotopes are introduced into a plant, where they undergo transformation into compounds. Then, under electroproesis, the radioactive compounds are indicated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopic_labeling
To determine the identity of a compound on an autoradiogram, you can follow these steps:
1. Labeling: Radioactive isotopes are introduced into a plant or any other biological system. These radioactive isotopes can be specific elements or compounds, such as carbon-14, nitrogen-15, or tritium.
2. Transformation: The radioactive isotopes undergo transformation within the biological system. For example, in a plant, carbon-14 can be incorporated into carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
3. Extraction: After the radioactive isotopes have been incorporated into compounds, the compounds of interest need to be extracted from the biological sample. This is typically done using appropriate extraction methods, such as solvent extraction or chromatography.
4. Separation: The extracted compounds are then separated using techniques like thin-layer chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These techniques allow for the separation of different compounds based on their chemical properties, such as polarity or molecular weight.
5. Detection: Once separated, the compounds are detected on an autoradiogram. An autoradiogram is a photographic film or an imaging plate that is placed in close contact with the separated compounds. The radioactive decay emitted from the labeled compounds exposes the film, resulting in dark spots or bands corresponding to the radioactive compounds.
6. Comparison: The autoradiogram can be compared to standards or reference compounds to determine the identity of the labeled compounds. These standards are compounds with known identities that are run alongside the extracted compounds in the separation step. By comparing the position and intensity of the detected radioactive bands on the autoradiogram to the standards, the identity of the labeled compounds can be determined. This is commonly done by measuring the migration distance or using spectrometry techniques.
It's important to note that the autoradiogram only indicates the presence and relative intensity of the radioactive compounds. Further analyses, such as mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), may be required for a more accurate identification of the labeled compounds.