An "Inhibition Zone" refers to an area around a substance, such as an antibiotic, where microbial growth is prevented. This concept is commonly used in microbiology to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. When a microorganism is exposed to an antibiotic, it may not grow in the surrounding area, creating a clear zone of inhibition on a culture plate. The size of the inhibition zone can indicate how effective the antibiotic is against the specific microorganism. Larger zones suggest greater effectiveness, while smaller zones may indicate resistance. This method is often used in laboratory settings to guide treatment decisions for infections caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli.