Which class of antibiotics disrupts the production of folic acid in bacteria?

The class of antibiotics known as sulfonamides disrupts the production of folic acid in bacteria. These antibiotics work by inhibiting the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, which is crucial for the synthesis of folate. Folate is essential for bacterial growth and replication because it is needed for the synthesis of nucleic acids. By blocking folic acid production, sulfonamides effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria, making them particularly useful as antimicrobial agents.

Penicillin and cephalosporins primarily target bacterial cell wall synthesis, while macrolides inhibit protein synthesis. While all these antibiotics are effective against various bacterial infections, they do not interfere with folic acid production, which is the specific action of sulfonamides. Thus, the correct answer highlights the unique mechanism of action of sulfonamides within the broader context of antibiotic therapies.