Question

Where would you find the highest concentration of Strontium in a child who is exposed to strontium (strontium is preferentially incorporated into growing long bone).
A. In the cartilage lining the joints.
B. In the center of long bones.
C. In the skull bones
D. Near the epiphyseal plates of long bones.
E. Evenly distributed throughout the body.

Answer 1

Hint: Strontium is a metallic element that comprises four isotopes having one as radioactive. Strontium is widely found in the body. The strontium behaves much like calcium in the body. Strontium is widely distributed in bones and teeth in the body.

Complete answer:
Strontium is a metallic element that comprises four isotopes having one as radioactive. Strontium is widely found in the body. About ninety-nine per cent of the strontium is widely found in the bones and teeth. The strontium behaves much like calcium in the body and has a somewhat similar effect on metabolism as calcium. Nowadays the technique to determine the strontium in the body has changed with the rise of medical technology. X-ray fluoroscopy is very effective to measure the level whereas in the past the radioisotope strontium was used to measure the strontium level which was a very cumbersome process (handling radioactive isotope). X-ray fluoroscopy is being used widely for time but lead levels in bone. Strontium level in body checking is important because it helps to determine the accumulation in the bone as it will cause abnormalities in adults and children too. Before the decade the level was estimated by bone biopsy.
As the large amounts of strontium are widely distributed in bone, the accumulation of strontium in children happens in the epiphyseal plates of long bones as they are growing and the epiphyseal plate helps in the growth of children.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Note:
The routine checking of strontium plays a pivotal role in determining the Strontium levels in the body and so that to estimate the strontium supplement to the patients of osteoporosis. It is also found in researches that it can benefit bone formation