Most Drugs That Inhibit the Synthesis of the Cell Wall

Question

Most drugs that inhibit the synthesis of the cell wall act by
A) preventing the cross-linkage of NAM subunits.
B) blocking the secretion of cell wall molecules from the cytoplasm.
C) preventing the formation of alanine-alanine bridges.
D) disrupting the formation of the mycolic acid layer of the cell wall.
E) preventing the formation of β-lactamases.

Accepted Answer

Drugs that inhibit the synthesis of the cell wall, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, work by preventing the cross-linkage of NAM subunits. These drugs bind to and inhibit the enzymes responsible for forming the cross-links between the NAM subunits, which weakens the cell wall and eventually leads to lysis of the bacterial cell.