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All atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The actual properties that define the element are given by the specific number of protons and coresponding electrons. When a uranium atom breaks up to emit energy and neutrons, the atomic structure changes from that of Uranium into two or more other elements that are born out of the fisson process. One of the more common "daughter" products is Plutonium and it can exist in a variety of atomic Isotopes. The number of protons on the daughter identifies the specific element while the number of neutrons will define the isotope.
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As a general rule, in order to be stable, an atom needs to have a certain balance between the number of neutrons and protons in the nucleus. If the atom does not have the proper balance, then the atom is going to be unstable. Also, if the nucleus is too big, then it will be unstable. These unstable atoms use a variety of methods to achieve more stable configurations. These means of achieving more stable configuration are what causes radioactivity. These processes also cause the atoms to change from one element to another. The original, pre-radioactive decay atom is called the parent atom. The atom that the parent turns into is called the daughter product or daughter isotope.
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