The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs Inhibition of cell wall synthesis: Inhibition of protein synthesis: Penicillins,cephalosporins, Chloramphenicol,erythromycin, bacitracin,vancomycin tetracyclines,streptomycin Transcription Translation mRNA Protein Replication Inhibition of Enzymatic nucleic acid activity, replication and synthesis of transcription: essential Quinolones, metabolites rifampin Injury to plasma membrane: Inhibition of synthesis Polymyxin B of essential metabolites: Sulfanilamide,trimethoprim Figure 20.2 The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs Figure 20.2