What kind of radiation is emitted by an isotope from the body during a nuclear medicine study?

During a nuclear medicine study, the isotope used typically emits gamma rays. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that have high energy and can easily pass through the human body, making them ideal for imaging technologies such as PET scans and SPECT scans. The emitted gamma radiation can be detected by specialized cameras, allowing for the visualization of internal structures and activities in the body.

Gamma rays are often chosen for these applications because they have a relatively long half-life, allowing for adequate imaging time while minimizing radiation exposure to the patient. Additionally, their penetrating ability enables them to be picked up by external detectors, providing high-quality images with good contrast.

In contrast, alpha rays consist of heavy particles that are less penetrative and are typically not useful for imaging purposes within the body. Beta rays, while able to penetrate tissue more than alpha particles, are still less favorable for imaging compared to gamma rays due to their interaction with matter and the fact that they can be absorbed by surrounding tissues. X-rays, while also used in medical imaging, are not emitted by radioisotopes during a nuclear medicine study but rather generated by interactions involving electrons outside the nucleus. Therefore, gamma rays are the correct answer as they are the specific radiation type emitted by isotopes used in nuclear