Question

Difficulty: MediumRhetorical Synthesis: Introduction and Definition

While preparing a presentation on environmental biotechnology, a student took the following notes:
* Phytoremediation is a method that uses plants to remove, transfer, or stabilize contaminants in soil and water.
* The term was coined in 1991 by plant biologist Ilya Raskin.
* It is a type of bioremediation, which uses living organisms to clean up polluted environments.
* Certain plants, like Indian mustard, are used because they accumulate high levels of toxic metals.
* Traditional cleanup techniques, like landfilling or soil excavation, are often much more expensive.

The student wants to provide a definition of phytoremediation. Which choice most effectively uses information from the given notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A
    Coined by plant biologist Ilya Raskin in 1991, phytoremediation is a technique that is less expensive than traditional soil excavation.
  2. Phytoremediation is a bioremediation method that utilizes plants to clean up contaminated soil and water.Answer
  3. C
    Unlike traditional cleanup techniques like excavation, phytoremediation utilizes specific species such as Indian mustard to target toxic metals.
  4. D
    Bioremediation, which includes phytoremediation, is an environmental cleanup method that relies on living organisms rather than excavation.

Answer

Phytoremediation is a bioremediation method that utilizes plants to clean up contaminated soil and water.
The correct option effectively defines the term by synthesizing the notes to state that phytoremediation is a bioremediation method using plants to clean up contaminated soil and water. This directly and concisely defines the process as requested.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the student's goal
The goal is to provide a definition of phytoremediation.
The prompt explicitly states the student wants to define the term.
2
Analyze the notes for the components of a definition
The notes state that phytoremediation is a type of bioremediation (which uses living organisms) and is a method that uses plants to remove, transfer, or stabilize contaminants in soil and water.
A proper definition must explain what the process is and how it works.
3
Evaluate the choices against the definition goal
The choice stating that phytoremediation is a bioremediation method utilizing plants to clean up contaminated soil and water directly defines the term.
Other choices focus on history, cost, plant examples, or the definition of bioremediation rather than phytoremediation itself.

Key Concept

Rhetorical Synthesis: Introduction and Definition
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