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

The HPV vaccine mainly protects against:

  1. ACervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
  2. BHerpes simplex infection
  3. CHIV infection
  4. DHepatitis B and liver cancer
2.Easy

Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

  1. AJoseph Lister
  2. BAlexander Fleming
  3. CLouis Pasteur
  4. DRobert Koch
3.Easy

What is agar used for in a microbiology laboratory?

  1. ATo make culture media solid
  2. BTo dissolve bacterial cell walls
  3. CTo stain bacteria purple
  4. DTo kill bacteria on surfaces
4.Medium

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

  1. AHerpesviruses
  2. BRetroviruses
  3. CCoronaviruses
  4. DPicornaviruses
5.Medium

Which statement is one of Koch's postulates?

  1. AThe organism must be visible with the naked eye
  2. BThe disease must respond to antibiotics
  3. CThe organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  4. DThe organism must be found in healthy people as well
6.Medium

How does an mRNA vaccine produce immunity?

  1. AThe mRNA contains weakened live virus
  2. BBody cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  3. CThe mRNA kills the virus directly in the blood
  4. DThe mRNA is inserted permanently into human DNA
7.Hard

An older adult develops a painful blistering rash in a band on one side of the chest. What explains this pattern?

  1. AAn allergic reaction to clothing affects one dermatome
  2. BBacteria spread along the lymphatic vessels of the chest
  3. CA new chickenpox infection spreads through the blood to one side
  4. DVaricella-zoster virus reactivates from one sensory ganglion and travels along its nerve
8.Hard

A urinary catheter has become colonised by bacteria in a biofilm. Why is the catheter usually replaced instead of just giving antibiotics?

  1. ABiofilm bacteria cannot cause disease
  2. BAntibiotics damage the catheter material
  3. CBacteria in biofilms are protected and much harder for antibiotics to kill
  4. DBiofilms contain only viruses, so antibiotics do not work

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Cervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
  2. 2. B · Alexander Fleming
  3. 3. A · To make culture media solid
  4. 4. A · Herpesviruses
  5. 5. C · The organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  6. 6. B · Body cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  7. 7. D · Varicella-zoster virus reactivates from one sensory ganglion and travels along its nerve
  8. 8. C · Bacteria in biofilms are protected and much harder for antibiotics to kill

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