Classes of antibiotics that exert their antibacterial effect by interfering with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall include:

Question

1. cephalosporins.
2. aminoglycosides.
3. sulfonamides.
4. erythromycins.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Beta-lactam antibiotics, including the cephalosporins, contain a beta-lactam ring that interferes with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.
Rationale 2: Aminoglycosides do not inhibit synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.
Rationale 3: Sulfonamides do not inhibit synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.
Rationale 4: Erythromycins do not inhibit synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.
Global Rationale: Cephalosporins have a beta-lactam ring that helps to disrupt bacterial cell walls. This beta-lactam ring resembles one of the chemical building blocks of peptidoglycan. When the PBP enzyme attempts to add the next "link" in the peptidoglycan chain, it binds to the beta-lactam ring, and construction of the cell wall is terminated.