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

How do bacteria usually reproduce?

  1. AMitosis with a nuclear membrane
  2. BMeiosis
  3. CBudding from a spore
  4. DBinary fission
2.Easy

What is a pathogen?

  1. AA cell of the immune system
  2. BA drug that kills bacteria
  3. CAny microorganism living on the skin
  4. DA microorganism that can cause disease
3.Easy

What is a bacteriophage?

  1. AA white blood cell that eats bacteria
  2. BA bacterium that infects viruses
  3. CAn antibiotic made by fungi
  4. DA virus that infects bacteria
4.Medium

Which cells does HIV mainly infect and destroy?

  1. APlatelets
  2. BRed blood cells
  3. CCD4 T helper cells
  4. DNeutrophils
5.Medium

How is DNA transferred between bacteria during conjugation?

  1. ABy a bacteriophage carrying bacterial DNA
  2. BBy uptake of free DNA from the environment
  3. CBy fusion of two bacterial cells into one
  4. DThrough direct contact using a sex pilus
6.Medium

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a person with advanced HIV is an example of:

  1. AA food-borne infection
  2. BA vector-borne infection
  3. CA zoonotic infection
  4. DAn opportunistic infection
7.Hard

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

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

A positive blood culture shows Gram-positive cocci in clusters. Which organism is most likely?

  1. AStaphylococcus
  2. BStreptococcus
  3. CNeisseria
  4. DEnterococcus in short chains

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Binary fission
  2. 2. D · A microorganism that can cause disease
  3. 3. D · A virus that infects bacteria
  4. 4. C · CD4 T helper cells
  5. 5. D · Through direct contact using a sex pilus
  6. 6. D · An opportunistic infection
  7. 7. B · When it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  8. 8. A · Staphylococcus

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