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

Which of these is a protozoan?

  1. ARotavirus
  2. BGiardia lamblia
  3. CEscherichia coli
  4. DCandida albicans
2.Easy

What is the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

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

Which type of microorganism causes athlete's foot?

  1. AProtozoan
  2. BFungus
  3. CBacterium
  4. DVirus
4.Medium

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

  1. AVaccines kill the pathogen in the environment
  2. BBabies are naturally immune to all vaccine-preventable diseases
  3. CVaccinated people pass antibodies to everyone they meet
  4. DFewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
5.Medium

Which part of the immune system produces antibodies?

  1. ACytotoxic T cells activated in the lymph nodes
  2. BNeutrophils
  3. CPlasma cells derived from B lymphocytes
  4. DNatural killer cells
6.Medium

How do people usually become infected with Legionella pneumophila?

  1. ABy inhaling aerosols from contaminated water systems
  2. BBy being bitten by an infected tick
  3. CBy person-to-person spread through kissing
  4. DBy eating undercooked chicken or unpasteurised milk products
7.Hard

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. AStaphylococcus aureus
  2. BClostridium perfringens
  3. CRotavirus
  4. DShiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7
8.Hard

On MacConkey agar, pink colonies grow from a urine sample. What does this tell you?

  1. AThe organism is probably a Gram-negative rod that ferments lactose
  2. BThe organism is a Gram-positive coccus
  3. CThe organism is a fungus
  4. DThe organism does not ferment lactose, so it is probably Salmonella

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Giardia lamblia
  2. 2. C · To survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  3. 3. B · Fungus
  4. 4. D · Fewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  5. 5. C · Plasma cells derived from B lymphocytes
  6. 6. A · By inhaling aerosols from contaminated water systems
  7. 7. D · Shiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7
  8. 8. A · The organism is probably a Gram-negative rod that ferments lactose

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