The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic refers to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A) The lowest concentration that kills bacteria is known as the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), not the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). MIC is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that inhibits visible growth of bacteria. B) The MIC of an antibiotic is the concentration at which bacterial growth is inhibited by 50%. This concentration is used to determine the effectiveness of an antibiotic against a specific bacterium. C) The time it takes for an antibiotic to work is not described by the MIC. MIC is a measure of concentration, not time. D) The spectrum of bacteria the antibiotic targets is not defined by the MIC. The MIC value is specific to a particular antibiotic and bacterium, regardless of the spectrum of activity of the antibiotic.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A) Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. B) Community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular area. C) Biome is a large geographic area characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals. Biomes are defined by factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation types. D) Ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. An ecosystem can be part of a biome.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Transmit the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles, regulating the timing of contraction. The primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node is to coordinate the transmission of electrical signals between the atria and the ventricles. It ensures proper timing between atrial and ventricular contractions, allowing for efficient blood pumping through the heart. Choice A is incorrect because the AV node does not generate the initial electrical impulse; that role is typically attributed to the sinoatrial (SA) node. Choice C is incorrect as the AV node does not directly influence blood pressure within the ventricles. Choice D is also incorrect as the separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood is primarily achieved by the anatomical structure of the heart (e.g., atria and ventricles) and not the AV node.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) ranking system, functional groups are prioritized based on the atomic number of the atoms directly attached to the functional group. Carboxylic acid (COOH) holds the highest priority as the carbon atom is directly bonded to two oxygen atoms, which have higher atomic numbers compared to carbon, hydrogen, or nitrogen. The higher the atomic number of the attached atoms, the higher the priority of the functional group in the CIP ranking system. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they have lower atomic numbers in the atoms directly attached to them, making them lower in priority according to the CIP system.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: SOCl2 (thionyl chloride) is commonly used to convert primary alcohols to alkyl halides through an SN2 mechanism. Thionyl chloride reacts with the alcohol to form an alkyl chloride. HI (hydroiodic acid) is typically used to convert alcohols to alkyl iodides specifically, not alkyl halides in general. H2O (water) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide) are not reagents used for converting alcohols to alkyl halides. Therefore, the correct answer is SOCl2 as it facilitates the conversion of primary alcohols to alkyl halides, unlike the other options provided.