Question

Bioremediation is the study of:

a) How diseases emerge and how to prevent them.
b) Environmental restoration using living organisms.
c) Genetic modification of organisms.
d) Agricultural practices to enhance soil fertility.

Answer 1

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to clean up contaminated environments by breaking down pollutants into less hazardous substances. It commonly involves the use of bacteria, fungi, and plants, and can include genetically engineered microbes for targeted pollution degradation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bioremediation is the process that involves using living organisms to clean up contaminated environments, such as soil or water, by breaking down hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances. This sustainable approach can involve various organisms including plants, bacteria, and fungi. For example, in the cleanup of oil spills, prokaryotes play a significant role in breaking down the hydrocarbons into harmless compounds.

Choices 'a' and 'b' in question 7 regarding the use of prokaryotes in bioremediation are both correct. Prokaryotes can fix nitrogen as well as clean up pollutants, making them invaluable in bioremediation efforts. When it comes to defining bioremediation, option 'b' from the multiple-choice question provided is accurate, as it states that bioremediation is about environmental restoration using living organisms.

Microbial bioremediation specifically refers to the use of microbial metabolism to remove or degrade contaminants from the environment. Techniques in this field may also include the use of genetically engineered microbes specifically chosen for their ability to tackle particular pollutants.