What does bioremediation entail?

Prepare for the Biotech Certification Test. Study with quizzes, in-depth explanations, and helpful hints. Boost your confidence and knowledge to excel in your exam journey!

Bioremediation is fundamentally about the use of microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast—to break down and remove pollutants from the environment, particularly in contaminated soil and water. This process leverages the natural metabolic capabilities of these microbes to degrade hazardous substances, effectively cleaning up pollutants like oil spills, heavy metals, and various organic and inorganic compounds. The goal of bioremediation is to render these environmental contaminants less harmful or harmless, making it a vital tool in environmental biotechnology.

The other options focus on different aspects of environmental science and biotechnology but do not accurately capture the essence of bioremediation. For instance, using plants to absorb heavy metals from the soil pertains to phytoremediation, a related but distinct technique. Evaluating the effects of pollutants falls under environmental assessment, while developing biotechnological devices for water purification is more aligned with engineering and technology rather than bioremediation specifically. Thus, the focus on microorganisms in the correct answer precisely defines the core process involved in bioremediation.

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