Final answer:
Antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis are considered bactericidal because they interfere with the formation of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls, leading to cell death; penicillin and cephalosporins are key examples of this antibiotic type.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antibiotics that inhibit cell walls can be classified as bactericidal. This category of antibiotics targets the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, which is an important component of bacterial cell walls. By interfering with peptidoglycan synthesis, these antibiotics cause the bacterial cells to become susceptible to osmotic lysis, leading to their destruction. Notable examples of such antibiotics include penicillin and cephalosporins, which prevent the cross-linking of peptide chains in the bacterial cell wall. Since human cells do not possess peptidoglycan, the action of these antibiotics is selectively toxic towards bacteria without harming the host.
The antibiotics that inhibit cell walls are bactericidal in their action. They block steps in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, which makes bacterial cells more susceptible to osmotic lysis. By preventing the proper formation of cell walls, water flows into the bacterial cells, causing them to burst. This mode of action is an excellent example of selective toxicity, as human cells do not make peptidoglycan.