Final answer:
Over-the-counter analgesics like aspirin work by reducing pain and inflammation through the inhibition of enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over-the-counter analgesics like aspirin work by reducing pain and inflammation. They do this by inhibiting the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1 and COX-2) that are involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Aspirin specifically deactivates the COX enzymes by transferring an acetyl group to the hydroxyl group in their active sites, thereby blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins.