What is the mechanism of action for cephalosporins?

Cephalosporins primarily exert their antibacterial effects by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. They target the bacterial cell wall's structure, specifically by disrupting the formation of peptidoglycan, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and rigidity of the bacterial cell wall. Without a robust cell wall, bacteria cannot withstand osmotic pressure, leading to cell lysis and eventual death.

This mechanism is crucial for their effectiveness against a wide range of Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria. It allows cephalosporins to be valuable in treating various infections, as disrupting cell wall synthesis is a fundamental approach to targeting bacterial pathogens.

Regarding the other options, although inhibiting protein synthesis (first option) and nucleic acid synthesis (second option) are mechanisms used by other classes of antibiotics, they do not apply to cephalosporins. The last option, inhibiting metabolic pathways, pertains to antibiotics like sulfonamides but is not relevant for cephalosporins. Understanding the specific mechanism of action is vital for selecting appropriate antibiotic therapy and anticipating potential resistance patterns.