Final answer:
A probe is a device that senses and interacts with its environment. So, option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
A probe, in the context of biology and environmental science, is b. a device that senses the environment around the device and interacts with it. This includes tools like the scanning probe microscope, which meticulously scans a specimen's surface at a consistent distance, measuring the current that varies with the gap size. In the field of genetics, probes are also used in Nucleic Acid Probing where they are vital for identifying specific DNA sequences.
DNA probes can detect the presence of certain DNA sequences by being complementary to the target DNA, allowing for the identification of various pathogens and bacterial species. For instance, DNA probes can detect pathogens such as Candida albicans, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The creation of a DNA probe involves synthesizing a single-stranded DNA fragment that is complementary to part of a gene of interest, which is then tagged with a molecular label to facilitate detection.