Final answer:
The effectiveness of a drug against a microbe is referred to as the drug's selective toxicity, which signifies the drug's capacity to target pathogens with minimal harm to the host.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effectiveness of a drug against a microbe is referred to as the drug's selective toxicity. This term indicates the ability of an antimicrobial drug to harm the target microbe without harming the host.
Selective toxicity is crucial because antimicrobial drugs must effectively target the microorganisms causing an infection while minimizing damage to the host's own cells. Determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) are important for evaluating an antimicrobial drug's effectiveness. The MIC refers to the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that will inhibit the visible growth of a microorganism, while MBC is the lowest concentration that will kill a microorganism.
Understanding and monitoring these factors help in managing antimicrobial resistance, ensuring effective treatment, and guiding the proper use of these medications.