Microbiology worksheet with answers

Free printable Microbiology worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy

How do bacteria usually reproduce?

  1. AMitosis with a nuclear membrane
  2. BBinary fission
  3. CMeiosis
  4. DBudding from a spore
2.Easy

Which of these is caused by a virus?

  1. ATetanus
  2. BTuberculosis
  3. CInfluenza
  4. DMalaria
3.Easy

What shape are cocci?

  1. ARod-shaped
  2. BSpiral
  3. CComma-shaped
  4. DRound
4.Medium

Which laboratory test separates Staphylococcus aureus from most other staphylococci?

  1. AThe Gram stain
  2. BThe acid-fast stain
  3. CThe catalase test
  4. DThe coagulase test
5.Medium

What is the main virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the target of its vaccines?

  1. AIts endospores
  2. BIts flagella
  3. CIts polysaccharide capsule
  4. DIts cholera-like toxin
6.Medium

Many antifungal drugs target ergosterol. Why does this work?

  1. AErgosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
  2. BErgosterol is only found in viruses
  3. CErgosterol is the main structural component of bacterial cell walls
  4. DHuman cells use ergosterol to make energy
7.Hard

Several people vomit within a few hours of eating fried rice that was cooked the day before and kept at room temperature. Which organism is the classic cause?

  1. ASalmonella Typhi
  2. BClostridium botulinum
  3. CListeria monocytogenes
  4. DBacillus cereus
8.Hard

A healthcare worker's blood test is positive for anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) and negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc. What does this most likely mean?

  1. ACurrent acute hepatitis B infection
  2. BChronic hepatitis B infection
  3. CImmunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  4. DPast natural infection that has cleared

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Binary fission
  2. 2. C · Influenza
  3. 3. D · Round
  4. 4. D · The coagulase test
  5. 5. C · Its polysaccharide capsule
  6. 6. A · Ergosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
  7. 7. D · Bacillus cereus
  8. 8. C · Immunity from hepatitis B vaccination

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