Vancomycin exerts its antibacterial effect primarily by inhibiting which process?

Vancomycin exerts its antibacterial effect primarily by inhibiting which process?

• A. Protein synthesis
• B. Nucleic acid synthesis
• C. Peptidoglycan synthesis
• D. Membrane disruption

Answer: (C)

Vancomycin blocks the construction of the bacterial cell wall. It binds tightly to the D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of the incoming peptidoglycan subunits, preventing the enzymes that polymerize and cross-link these units from functioning. Without proper peptidoglycan synthesis, the cell wall cannot be formed correctly, and the bacterium loses its structural integrity and dies. This mechanism is distinct from agents that inhibit protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, or disrupt membranes, which operate through different targets.