Microbiology worksheet with answers

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

1. ARabies
2. BSmallpox
3. CPolio
4. DTuberculosis

What is a pandemic?

1. AA disease that is always present at a low, stable level in a region
2. BA single case of a rare disease
3. CAn outbreak limited to one hospital ward
4. DAn epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents

Vaccines protect against disease mainly by:

1. AProviding ready-made antibodies that remain in the blood for life
2. BBlocking all viruses from entering cells
3. CStimulating the immune system to form memory cells
4. DKilling bacteria directly in the blood

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

1. AHepatitis A
2. BSalmonella infection
3. CClostridioides difficile infection
4. DHelicobacter pylori infection

What is endotoxin?

1. AA toxin produced only inside human cells
2. BA protein toxin secreted by Gram-positive bacteria into the surrounding tissue
3. CThe lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
4. DA toxin made by fungi in damp buildings

How does an autoclave sterilise instruments?

1. AWith steam under pressure at about 121 °C
2. BWith ultraviolet light only
3. CWith alcohol vapour at room temperature
4. DWith dry heat at about 60 °C

What is the key difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

1. ABactericidal drugs work only outside the body
2. BBactericidal drugs work only on viruses; bacteriostatic drugs work on bacteria
3. CBactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them
4. DBacteriostatic drugs always work faster than bactericidal drugs

Which process can produce a completely new influenza A subtype that causes a pandemic?

1. ATransformation with free DNA
2. BAntigenic shift through reassortment of gene segments
3. CAntigenic drift through gradual accumulation of point mutations
4. DLysogenic conversion by a bacteriophage