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

In infection control, what is a vector?

  1. AThe first person infected in an outbreak
  2. BAn object such as a door handle that carries germs between patients on a ward
  3. CA living organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
  4. DA drug used to prevent infection
2.Easy

What is agar used for in a microbiology laboratory?

  1. ATo stain bacteria purple
  2. BTo dissolve bacterial cell walls
  3. CTo make culture media solid
  4. DTo kill bacteria on surfaces
3.Easy

What is an obligate anaerobe?

  1. AAn organism that needs oxygen to grow
  2. BAn organism that lives only in the lungs
  3. CAn organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. DAn organism that grows both with and without oxygen present
4.Medium

What is endotoxin?

  1. AA toxin produced only inside human cells
  2. BA protein toxin secreted by Gram-positive bacteria into the surrounding tissue
  3. CThe lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
  4. DA toxin made by fungi in damp buildings
5.Medium

Which is a function of the complement system?

  1. AMaking new red blood cells
  2. BForming pores in the membranes of some bacteria
  3. CProducing antibodies against newly encountered antigens
  4. DPresenting antigens to T cells
6.Medium

What does an ELISA test detect?

  1. AThe shape of bacteria under the microscope
  2. BBacterial growth on solid agar plates
  3. CThe DNA sequence of the whole bacterial genome
  4. DSpecific antigens or antibodies, using an enzyme that causes a colour change
7.Hard

What is the key difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

  1. ABacteriostatic drugs always work faster than bactericidal drugs
  2. BBactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them
  3. CBactericidal drugs work only on viruses; bacteriostatic drugs work on bacteria
  4. DBactericidal drugs work only outside the body
8.Hard

A young adult with sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes is given amoxicillin and develops a widespread rash. Which infection is most likely?

  1. AInfectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus
  2. BMeasles
  3. CStreptococcal tonsillitis
  4. DChickenpox

Answer key

  1. 1. C · A living organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
  2. 2. C · To make culture media solid
  3. 3. C · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. 4. C · The lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
  5. 5. B · Forming pores in the membranes of some bacteria
  6. 6. D · Specific antigens or antibodies, using an enzyme that causes a colour change
  7. 7. B · Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them
  8. 8. A · Infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus

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