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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.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
2.Easy

Which organism causes malaria?

  1. AAnopheles
  2. BToxoplasma
  3. CTrypanosoma
  4. DPlasmodium
3.Easy

Which microorganism most often causes oral or vaginal thrush?

  1. ACandida albicans
  2. BTrichomonas vaginalis
  3. CHerpes simplex virus
  4. DStaphylococcus aureus
4.Medium

Toxoplasma gondii is a risk in pregnancy. Which advice reduces exposure?

  1. AAvoid contact with dogs
  2. BAvoid swimming pools and all other public bathing areas
  3. CAvoid all fruit and vegetables
  4. DAvoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
5.Medium

How does an mRNA vaccine produce immunity?

  1. AThe mRNA contains weakened live virus
  2. BBody cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  3. CThe mRNA kills the virus directly in the blood
  4. DThe mRNA is inserted permanently into human DNA
6.Medium

Which bacterium is the most common cause of stomach ulcers?

  1. AClostridioides difficile
  2. BStaphylococcus aureus
  3. CEscherichia coli
  4. DHelicobacter pylori
7.Hard

An older adult develops a painful blistering rash in a band on one side of the chest. What explains this pattern?

  1. ABacteria spread along the lymphatic vessels of the chest
  2. BAn allergic reaction to clothing affects one dermatome
  3. CA new chickenpox infection spreads through the blood to one side
  4. DVaricella-zoster virus reactivates from one sensory ganglion and travels along its nerve
8.Hard

A traveller returns from sub-Saharan Africa with fever. Malaria is suspected. Which species is most likely to cause severe and cerebral malaria?

  1. APlasmodium vivax
  2. BPlasmodium falciparum
  3. CPlasmodium malariae
  4. DPlasmodium ovale

Answer key

  1. 1. C · To make culture media solid
  2. 2. D · Plasmodium
  3. 3. A · Candida albicans
  4. 4. D · Avoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
  5. 5. B · Body cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  6. 6. D · Helicobacter pylori
  7. 7. D · Varicella-zoster virus reactivates from one sensory ganglion and travels along its nerve
  8. 8. B · Plasmodium falciparum

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