Microbiology worksheet with answers

What is a zoonosis?

1. AAn infection that spreads from animals to humans
2. BAn infection spread through water
3. CAn infection that only affects zoo animals
4. DAn infection caught in hospital

Which type of microorganism causes athlete's foot?

1. AProtozoan
2. BVirus
3. CFungus
4. DBacterium

What is meant by the normal flora (microbiota) of the body?

1. ABacteria that always cause mild infections
2. BThe white blood cells in healthy tissue
3. CMicroorganisms that normally live on or in the body without causing disease
4. DMicroorganisms found only in sick patients

Which statement is one of Koch's postulates?

1. AThe organism must be visible with the naked eye
2. BThe organism must be found in healthy people as well
3. CThe disease must respond to antibiotics
4. DThe organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host

Which type of immunity is given by breast milk antibodies?

1. AArtificial active immunity
2. BNatural passive immunity
3. CNatural active immunity
4. DArtificial passive immunity

Which bacterium causes whooping cough (pertussis)?

1. AHaemophilus influenzae
2. BCorynebacterium diphtheriae
3. CBordetella pertussis
4. DMycoplasma pneumoniae

Joseph Lister reduced infection after surgery in the 1860s. What was his main innovation?

1. AVaccinating surgeons against staphylococci
2. BUsing steam autoclaves to sterilise all surgical instruments before each operation
3. CUsing carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic on wounds and instruments
4. DGiving sulfonamide antibiotics after every operation

What does an R0 (basic reproduction number) of 3 mean?

1. AOn average one case infects three others in a fully susceptible population
2. BThe infection lasts three days
3. CThree percent of infected people die
4. DThree doses of vaccine are needed