1.2.2-Which Antibiotic is the Best Choice?

Why is the clear area surrounding an antibiotic disk called the zone of inhibition?

The zone of inhibition is the area around an antibiotic disk where bacteria cannot grow, indicating the effectiveness of the antibiotic in inhibiting bacterial growth.

What was the purpose of the control disk?

The control disk is used to ensure that the experimental conditions are appropriate and that the results are valid by demonstrating that the medium and method can support bacterial growth.

Propose reasons why an antibiotic may not be as effective at inhibiting E. coli as it is against B. cereus.

Differences in bacterial cell wall composition, the presence of efflux pumps in E. coli, or varying susceptibility to antibiotics can affect efficacy.

Classify each of the tested antibiotics as limited spectrum or broad spectrum. Explain your responses.( E.coli and B.Cereus)

Limited spectrum antibiotics affect a narrow range of bacteria, while broad spectrum antibiotics target a wide variety of bacterial species. E. coli typically responds to broad spectrum antibiotics due to its commonality among various infections, whereas B. cereus may be treated effectively with limited spectrum antibiotics, depending on the specific strains.