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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

What is the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

  1. ATo move towards nutrients
  2. BTo survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  3. CTo exchange DNA with other bacteria
  4. DTo reproduce quickly when nutrients and water are plentiful
2.Easy

Tapeworms and roundworms are examples of:

  1. APrions
  2. BFungi
  3. CHelminths
  4. DProtozoa
3.Easy

Which of these is a protozoan?

  1. AGiardia lamblia
  2. BCandida albicans
  3. CRotavirus
  4. DEscherichia coli
4.Medium

Which infection is a typical complication of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, causing severe diarrhoea?

  1. AClostridioides difficile infection
  2. BSalmonella infection
  3. CHepatitis A
  4. DHelicobacter pylori infection
5.Medium

Why does high vaccination coverage also protect babies too young to be vaccinated?

  1. ABabies are naturally immune to all vaccine-preventable diseases
  2. BVaccinated people pass antibodies to everyone they meet
  3. CFewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  4. DVaccines kill the pathogen in the environment
6.Medium

Why are Gram-negative bacteria often harder to treat with antibiotics?

  1. AThey have a thicker peptidoglycan layer
  2. BTheir outer membrane blocks many drugs
  3. CThey have no ribosomes
  4. DThey divide much more slowly
7.Hard

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria only if it produces diphtheria toxin. When does it make this toxin?

  1. AWhen it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  2. BWhenever it is exposed to antibiotics
  3. COnly when it is grown at high temperature
  4. DOnly after it has conjugated with E. coli and received a plasmid
8.Hard

Gram-positive cocci are found. Which test quickly separates staphylococci from streptococci?

  1. AThe acid-fast stain
  2. BThe catalase test
  3. CGrowth on MacConkey agar
  4. DThe coagulase test

Answer key

  1. 1. B · To survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  2. 2. C · Helminths
  3. 3. A · Giardia lamblia
  4. 4. A · Clostridioides difficile infection
  5. 5. C · Fewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  6. 6. B · Their outer membrane blocks many drugs
  7. 7. A · When it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  8. 8. B · The catalase test

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.