Phyto/Bio-remediation, GMOs
1. How does phyto-engineering or phytoremediation harvest heavy metals from
soil? The plants suck up the heavy metals from the soil, using phytochelatins,
which then transport the metals to the stems and leaves of the plant.
2. What is meant by phytoextraction? What is an added benefit of this process?
Phytoextraction means to remedy or remove the toxins from the soil by use of
these plants. An added benefit is that even after phytoextraction the plants can
still be used for practical purposes.
3. What are some environmental problems caused by heavy metals?
Heavy metals may possibly be reactive to the chemicals used in bio-processes.
The heavy metals themselves may also break down to even more reactive
substances causing an issue to wildlife.
4. What human activities have resulted in the collection of heavy metals in soil?
Mishandling of chemicals by companies, dumping from citizens, and nuclear
fallout are reasons for heavy metal accumulation.
5. What are some global impacts of these environmental problems?
Many of the heavy metals in the soil tend to be toxic especially to humans. They
may cause problems such as birth defects, poisoning, and malnutrition issues.
6. What are some of the current high tech solutions to the environmental problems
you stated? For the individual problems: pre-natal medication and other
medication respectively. A solution for the environmental problem includes
bulldozing the area.
7. What are the human impacts associated with phyto-engineering and how do
those human impacts relate to biotechnical engineering?
Human’s carbon footprint is lessened, and is able to rid the environment of the
toxins, however, at times the plants used may be invasive, which may not always
be the best.
1. What is bioremediation and what role do engineers play in the process of
bioremediation? Bioremediation is the ridding of heavy metals through the use of
small microorganisms to clean up the soil. Engineers are used in order to
genetically modify these microorganisms.
2. Explain how the following engineers work together during the bioremediation
process: chemical engineers, environmental engineers, genetic engineers, and
civil engineers. Chemical engineers are used to create the medium in which the
microorganisms are placed. Environmental engineers are used to plan and
design the way in which the microorganisms will be used to be most effective.
Genetic engineers actually modify the organism, and civil engineers may be used
to create structures through which the remediation will occur.
What impact does bioremediation play on the environment and society as a whole? It
cleans up the environment in which the pollutant is present. This in turn helps society by
removing toxins from our resources, and cleaner consumption
1. What is genetically modified/engineered food?
It is a food that has been altered or modified in some way.
2. What are some potential benefits to these types of foods?
They may last longer, and create better nutrition benefits, with less malnutrition and starvation
issues
3. What are some potential concerns to these types of foods?
They may not be properly tested, and may be linked to other health issues.
4. What are some medical ideas researchers have for these foods?
Foods could be interlaced with medicine, making it easier to vaccinate and cure
diseases and illnesses.