Which of the following best describes biological engineering?

Biological engineering is fundamentally about harnessing and manipulating living organisms and biological systems to develop innovative processes and products. The correct answer accurately describes this field as it focuses on using living organisms, along with biotechnology, to create processes that can address challenges in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

The use of living organisms in engineering applications can involve a range of activities, from designing biological systems to produce materials, to developing new therapies using cells and tissues. This definition encompasses not only the technical application of biology but also the integration of engineering principles to optimize these biological processes for various applications.

In contrast, other options focus on specific aspects of biological engineering but do not capture its overarching purpose. While the application of physics and mathematics is essential in many engineering fields, it does not specifically pertain to biological engineering. Techniques for gene editing and medical treatments represent important areas within the field but are subsets rather than the wider scope of biological engineering. Similarly, methods to enhance plant growth, while related to biological engineering, are too narrow and focus solely on agricultural applications without encompassing the entire field's breadth.