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

Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

  1. ALouis Pasteur
  2. BAlexander Fleming
  3. CJoseph Lister
  4. DRobert Koch
2.Easy

What is a bacteriophage?

  1. AA virus that infects bacteria
  2. BAn antibiotic made by fungi
  3. CA white blood cell that eats bacteria
  4. DA bacterium that infects viruses
3.Easy

Which of these is a protozoan?

  1. ACandida albicans
  2. BGiardia lamblia
  3. CEscherichia coli
  4. DRotavirus
4.Medium

Why are pregnant women advised to avoid unpasteurised soft cheeses?

  1. AThey contain too much lactose for the fetus
  2. BThey may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  3. CThey may contain tapeworm eggs
  4. DThey often contain the hepatitis C virus, which crosses the placenta
5.Medium

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

  1. ANo cell wall at all
  2. BAn altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
  3. CAn efflux pump for every antibiotic
  4. DA polysaccharide capsule that blocks the entry of all beta-lactams
6.Medium

Which statement is one of Koch's postulates?

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

A patient with suspected infectious pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which precautions are needed?

  1. AContact precautions only, with gloves and an apron
  2. BDroplet precautions with a surgical mask, and only within one metre
  3. CNo special precautions, because TB spreads only by blood
  4. DAirborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
8.Hard

A deep, dirty wound becomes swollen and very painful, and gas can be felt under the skin. Which organism is most likely?

  1. AClostridium perfringens
  2. BStreptococcus pneumoniae
  3. CBordetella pertussis
  4. DNeisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Alexander Fleming
  2. 2. A · A virus that infects bacteria
  3. 3. B · Giardia lamblia
  4. 4. B · They may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  5. 5. B · An altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
  6. 6. D · The organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  7. 7. D · Airborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  8. 8. A · Clostridium perfringens

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