Microbiology worksheet with answers

What is an obligate anaerobe?

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

The HPV vaccine mainly protects against:

1. AHerpes simplex infection
2. BCervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
3. CHIV infection
4. DHepatitis B and liver cancer

What is an antigen?

1. AA drug that blocks bacterial growth
2. BA molecule that the immune system recognises
3. CA protein made by plasma cells to fight infection
4. DA type of white blood cell

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

1. AA polysaccharide capsule that blocks the entry of all beta-lactams
2. BAn altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
3. CAn efflux pump for every antibiotic
4. DNo cell wall at all

Which cells does HIV mainly infect and destroy?

1. ANeutrophils
2. BPlatelets
3. CCD4 T helper cells
4. DRed blood cells

Which white blood cells are the main phagocytes in an acute bacterial infection and the main component of pus?

1. AEosinophils
2. BBasophils
3. CB lymphocytes
4. DNeutrophils

What is the key difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

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

A child develops bloody diarrhoea after eating an undercooked burger, then a week later has kidney failure, anaemia and a low platelet count. Which organism is most likely?

1. AShiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7
2. BClostridium perfringens
3. CStaphylococcus aureus
4. DRotavirus