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

What is the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

  1. ATo survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  2. BTo move towards nutrients
  3. CTo reproduce quickly when nutrients and water are plentiful
  4. DTo exchange DNA with other bacteria
2.Easy

Which structure do bacteria have but human cells do not?

  1. AA peptidoglycan cell wall
  2. BDNA
  3. CA phospholipid cell membrane
  4. DRibosomes
3.Easy

Which is part of the body's first line of defence against infection?

  1. ACytotoxic T cells
  2. BIntact skin
  3. CMemory B cells
  4. DAntibodies
4.Medium

What is the main virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the target of its vaccines?

  1. AIts endospores
  2. BIts cholera-like toxin
  3. CIts flagella
  4. DIts polysaccharide capsule
5.Medium

What is the incubation period?

  1. AThe time a culture needs in the laboratory
  2. BThe time between infection and the first symptoms
  3. CThe time an antibiotic takes to work
  4. DThe time during which a patient remains infectious to others
6.Medium

What does an ELISA test detect?

  1. AThe DNA sequence of the whole bacterial genome
  2. BThe shape of bacteria under the microscope
  3. CSpecific antigens or antibodies, using an enzyme that causes a colour change
  4. DBacterial growth on solid agar plates
7.Hard

Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning starts only 1–6 hours after eating. Why so fast?

  1. AThe bacteria made a heat-stable toxin in the food before it was eaten
  2. BThe bacteria invade the bloodstream immediately
  3. CThe bacteria multiply very fast inside the gut and invade the intestinal wall
  4. DThe immune system reacts to the bacteria within minutes
8.Hard

Several people vomit within a few hours of eating fried rice that was cooked the day before and kept at room temperature. Which organism is the classic cause?

  1. ASalmonella Typhi
  2. BClostridium botulinum
  3. CBacillus cereus
  4. DListeria monocytogenes

Answer key

  1. 1. A · To survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  2. 2. A · A peptidoglycan cell wall
  3. 3. B · Intact skin
  4. 4. D · Its polysaccharide capsule
  5. 5. B · The time between infection and the first symptoms
  6. 6. C · Specific antigens or antibodies, using an enzyme that causes a colour change
  7. 7. A · The bacteria made a heat-stable toxin in the food before it was eaten
  8. 8. C · Bacillus cereus

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