Radioisotopes
and Life Processes

The Understanding the Atom Series

Nuclear energy is playing a vital role in the life of everyman, woman, and child in the United States today. In theyears ahead it will affect increasingly all the peoples of theearth. It is essential that all Americans gain an understandingof this vital force if they are to discharge thoughtfully theirresponsibilities as citizens and if they are to realize fully themyriad benefits that nuclear energy offers them.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission providesthis booklet to help you achieve such understanding.

Edward J. Brunenkant, DirectorDivision of Technical Information

UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman

James T. Ramey

Wilfrid E. Johnson

Dr. Theos J. Thompson

Dr. Clarence E. Larson

Radioisotopes
AND LIFE PROCESSES

by Walter E. Kisieleski and
Renato Baserga

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1

CELL THEORY:
DNA IS THE SECRET OF LIFE 2

RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES:
THE BIOLOGICAL DETECTIVES 10

DNA SYNTHESIS:
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CELLS 15

RNA SYNTHESIS:
HOW TO TRANSLATE ONE LANGUAGE INTO ANOTHER 25

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS:
THE MOLECULES THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE 35

CELL CYCLE AND GENE ACTION:
LIFE IS THE SECRET OF DNA 37

ISOTOPES IN RESEARCH:
PROBING THE CANCER PROBLEM 43

CONCLUSIONS 45

SUGGESTED REFERENCES 47

United States Atomic Energy Commission
Division of Technical Information
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-61908
1966; 1967(Rev.)

THE COVER

The cover design portrays the inter-relationships suggested bythe title of this booklet: On a trefoil symbolizing radiation aresuperimposed a dividing cell, a plant, an animal, and a double helixof a molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid, a material unique in andfundamental to all living things.

THE AUTHORS