Radiocarbon Map of a Bomb-Peak Labeled Human Eye

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe 14C/12C ratio of living organisms is largely determined by the 14C/12C ratio of consumed diet as well as by the atmospheric 14C concentration together with the body’s metabolic processes. The measured 14C content of living matter compared to the atmospheric radiocarbon level can provide invaluable information about developmental processes. Our aim was to determine the 14C content of ten different tissues of the human eye using the 14C bomb-pulse dating signature. The 14C content of the atmosphere, so called 14C “bomb-pulse” has labeled humanity offering an opportunity to determine these special formation, turnover and substitution courses in biology. The results allowed us to construct a 14C map of the bomb-peak labeled human eye. According to the anatomical location of the tissues, an unexpected picture emerged as in moving from the outer parts towards the inner parts of the eye, the 14C content of each tissue decreased. The data presented here are compatible with the view that the oldest parts of the eye are the sclera, the limbus and the cornea, in this order, and moving further inside, the youngest tissue of the eye is the retina.