isotopes in biology

Isotopes are variants of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. In biology, isotopes are useful for tracing processes within organisms, as they can act as markers without changing the element’s chemical behavior. For example, stable isotopes like carbon-13 or nitrogen-15 are used in metabolic studies to track nutrient pathways. Radioactive isotopes, such as carbon-14, help date biological samples or study biological processes over time. Overall, isotopes provide a valuable tool for understanding biological functions at the molecular and systemic levels.