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 microorganism most often causes oral or vaginal thrush?

  1. AHerpes simplex virus
  2. BStaphylococcus aureus
  3. CTrichomonas vaginalis
  4. DCandida albicans
2.Easy

Which structure do bacteria have but human cells do not?

  1. AA peptidoglycan cell wall
  2. BA phospholipid cell membrane
  3. CDNA
  4. DRibosomes
3.Easy

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

  1. ARabies
  2. BSmallpox
  3. CTuberculosis
  4. DPolio
4.Medium

What is the main difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

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

Which laboratory test separates Staphylococcus aureus from most other staphylococci?

  1. AThe acid-fast stain
  2. BThe coagulase test
  3. CThe catalase test
  4. DThe Gram stain
6.Medium

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

  1. ASalmonella infection
  2. BClostridioides difficile infection
  3. CHelicobacter pylori infection
  4. DHepatitis A
7.Hard

A young adult with sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes is given amoxicillin and develops a widespread rash. Which infection is most likely?

  1. AInfectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus
  2. BMeasles
  3. CChickenpox
  4. DStreptococcal tonsillitis
8.Hard

Why are penicillins ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  1. AIt produces large amounts of beta-lactamase
  2. BIt has a thick waxy mycolic acid layer that blocks entry
  3. CIt has no cell wall for penicillin to act on
  4. DIt lives only inside red blood cells

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Candida albicans
  2. 2. A · A peptidoglycan cell wall
  3. 3. B · Smallpox
  4. 4. C · Adaptive immunity is specific and forms memory; innate immunity does not
  5. 5. B · The coagulase test
  6. 6. B · Clostridioides difficile infection
  7. 7. A · Infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus
  8. 8. C · It has no cell wall for penicillin to act on

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