Concept:
Antibiotics are grouped into chemical classes based on their structure, and each class has a typical mechanism of action. Identifying the class helps predict the drug's spectrum and side effects.
How it works: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic. It inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding to the D-alanyl-D-alanine terminus of cell-wall precursors, preventing peptidoglycan cross-linking. It is especially important against resistant Gram-positive organisms such as MRSA.
Why the other choices are wrong: Oxazolidinones (e.g. linezolid), lincosamides (e.g. clindamycin) and aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin) are all distinct classes that act on protein synthesis, not cell-wall building in the glycopeptide manner.
Answer: Option (1) — Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic. (1)