Common isotopes.

Commonly Used Isotopes

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Some commonly used Isotopes in Biology.
Element Most abundant non radioactive isotopes mass number Radio-isotope Half-Life Uses

Hydrogen 1,2 Tritium(3) 12.4 years Tracers for metabolic studies.

Oxygen 16 18(not radio-active) --------- Metabolic studies and determining temperatures of ancient seas by O16/O18 ratios.

Carbon 12 14 5,745 years Metabolic studies and dating recent archeological artifacts.

Phosphorus 31 32 14.3 Days Metabolic and Ecological tracer. Studies of nucleotides, nucleic acids.

Sulfur 32,33,34 35 87.9 days Labeling proteins

Cobalt 59 60 5.3 years Cancer therapy, source of gamma rays

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Element	Most abundant non radioactive isotopes mass number	Radio-isotope	Half-Life	Uses
Hydrogen	1,2	Tritium(3)	12.4 years	Tracers for metabolic studies.
Oxygen	16	18(not radio-active)	---------	Metabolic studies and determining temperatures of ancient seas by O16/O18 ratios.
Carbon	12	14	5,745 years	Metabolic studies and dating recent archeological artifacts.
Phosphorus	31	32	14.3 Days	Metabolic and Ecological tracer. Studies of nucleotides, nucleic acids.
Sulfur	32,33,34	35	87.9 days	Labeling proteins
Cobalt	59	60	5.3 years	Cancer therapy, source of gamma rays