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

How does measles mainly spread?

  1. AThrough insect bites
  2. BThrough sexual contact
  3. CThrough contaminated food
  4. DThrough the air in droplets and aerosols
2.Easy

What is a yeast?

  1. AA small virus
  2. BA type of spiral bacterium
  3. CA single-celled fungus
  4. DA multicellular parasite
3.Easy

Which of these is caused by a virus?

  1. AMalaria
  2. BInfluenza
  3. CTetanus
  4. DTuberculosis
4.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
5.Medium

In which phase of the bacterial growth curve do the cells divide at their fastest constant rate?

  1. ALog (exponential) phase
  2. BLag (adaptation) phase
  3. CStationary (plateau) phase
  4. DDeath phase
6.Medium

Which organism causes typhoid fever?

  1. AVibrio cholerae
  2. BCampylobacter jejuni
  3. CSalmonella Typhi
  4. DShigella dysenteriae
7.Hard

In Griffith's 1928 experiment, mice died after injection of heat-killed smooth (S) pneumococci mixed with live rough (R) pneumococci. What did this show?

  1. ARough pneumococci are always more virulent than smooth ones
  2. BHeat does not kill pneumococci
  3. CViruses carry genes between bacteria
  4. DA "transforming principle" from dead bacteria could change harmless bacteria into virulent ones
8.Hard

Which hepatitis viruses are mainly spread through contaminated food and water?

  1. AHepatitis B and D
  2. BHepatitis A and E
  3. CHepatitis B and C
  4. DHepatitis C and E

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Through the air in droplets and aerosols
  2. 2. C · A single-celled fungus
  3. 3. B · Influenza
  4. 4. B · The coagulase test
  5. 5. A · Log (exponential) phase
  6. 6. C · Salmonella Typhi
  7. 7. D · A "transforming principle" from dead bacteria could change harmless bacteria into virulent ones
  8. 8. B · Hepatitis A and E

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