Final answer:
Microbial plastics are composed of polyhydroxyalkanoates, which are biopolymers produced by bacteria as a carbon and energy storage material. PHAs are biodegradable and can be used as environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microbial plastics are composed of polyhydroxyalkanoates. These are a type of biopolymer produced by bacteria as a carbon and energy storage material. Polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs, are synthesized by microbial cells when they have an excess of carbon and a limited supply of another essential nutrient, such as nitrogen or phosphorus.
PHAs are biodegradable and can be used as environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics.