The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is
A) the lowest antibiotic concentration to slow the growth of an organism.
B) the highest antibiotic concentration to slow the growth of an organism.
C) the lowest antibiotic concentration to inhibit the growth of an organism.
D) the highest antibiotic concentration to inhibit the growth of an organism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that can inhibit the growth of an organism. Option A refers to the minimum bacteriostatic concentration, while options B and D describe endpoints beyond the MIC where the antibiotic concentration is already too high to only inhibited growth, and instead causes bactericidal activity and can even lead to cell lysis.

The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Is