If there is NO zone of inhibition present, the bacteria is said to be ____ to the antibiotic. susceptibleintermediately susceptibleresistant

If there is no zone of inhibition present, the bacteria is said to be resistant to the antibiotic.

Explanation:

The concept of a zone of inhibition is a critical aspect of antibiotic susceptibility testing. When antibiotics are tested against bacteria, a disk diffusion method is commonly employed, where antibiotic-impregnated disks are placed on an agar plate that has been inoculated with the bacteria in question. After incubation, if the antibiotic is effective, it will inhibit bacterial growth in a circular area around the disk, which is referred to as the zone of inhibition.

In cases where there is no zone of inhibition observed, it indicates that the bacteria have not been affected by the antibiotic. This lack of inhibition is used to classify the bacteria's response to the antibiotic as resistant, meaning that the bacteria can survive and grow in the presence of the antibiotic, rendering it ineffective for treatment. This classification is crucial in guiding the choice of antibiotics for effective patient care.