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

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

  1. APolio
  2. BRabies
  3. CTuberculosis
  4. DSmallpox
2.Easy

How is HIV mainly transmitted?

  1. AThrough mosquito bites
  2. BThrough blood, sexual contact and from mother to child
  3. CThrough shared drinking glasses
  4. DThrough coughing, sneezing and sharing cups or cutlery with others
3.Easy

What is an antigen?

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

What is the main difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

  1. AInnate immunity develops only after vaccination
  2. BAdaptive immunity acts within minutes of infection
  3. CAdaptive immunity is specific and forms memory; innate immunity does not
  4. DInnate immunity uses antibodies and forms memory; adaptive immunity does not
5.Medium

Which virus family includes the viruses that cause cold sores and chickenpox?

  1. AHerpesviruses
  2. BCoronaviruses
  3. CRetroviruses
  4. DPicornaviruses
6.Medium

What is the main virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the target of its vaccines?

  1. AIts endospores
  2. BIts polysaccharide capsule
  3. CIts cholera-like toxin
  4. DIts flagella
7.Hard

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic is:

  1. AThe lowest concentration that kills 99.9% of the bacterial inoculum in vitro
  2. BThe lowest concentration that prevents visible bacterial growth in vitro
  3. CThe highest dose a patient can tolerate
  4. DThe plasma level at which side effects begin
8.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. ARotavirus
  2. BShiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7
  3. CClostridium perfringens
  4. DStaphylococcus aureus

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Smallpox
  2. 2. B · Through blood, sexual contact and from mother to child
  3. 3. A · A molecule that the immune system recognises
  4. 4. C · Adaptive immunity is specific and forms memory; innate immunity does not
  5. 5. A · Herpesviruses
  6. 6. B · Its polysaccharide capsule
  7. 7. B · The lowest concentration that prevents visible bacterial growth in vitro
  8. 8. B · Shiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7

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