Which of the following antibiotics is known to inhibit cell wall synthesis?

Penicillins are a group of antibiotics that specifically target the bacterial cell wall synthesis, which is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of bacterial cells. They achieve this by inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase, which is involved in the formation of cross-links in the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall. This inhibition leads to weakened cell walls, resulting in cell lysis and ultimately the death of the bacteria.

In contrast, the other antibiotics listed function through different mechanisms. For instance, chloramphenicol inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosome but does not affect the cell wall. Aminoglycosides also inhibit protein synthesis but do not target the cell wall synthesis specifically. Erythromycin, similar to chloramphenicol, acts by inhibiting protein synthesis through binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, thus not impacting cell wall formation. Therefore, among the provided options, penicillins are uniquely recognized for their ability to inhibit cell wall synthesis effectively.