A radioactive tracer is a substance containing a radioactive isotope (radioisotope). The tracers can be used to measure the speed of chemical processes and was developed by George de Hevesy. Radioactive tracers can also be used to track the movement of a substance through a natural system.

The tracers are applied in autoradiography, nuclear medicine (including single photon emission computed tomography or SPECT), and positron emission tomography.

See also

• Isotopic tracer

Radiobiology | Radiology | Nuclear medicine | Tracer (Nuklearmedizin)