Microbiology worksheet with answers

The HPV vaccine mainly protects against:

1. AHIV infection
2. BHepatitis B and liver cancer
3. CCervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
4. DHerpes simplex infection

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by:

1. ACoughing and sneezing
2. BTick bites
3. CContaminated water
4. DMosquito bites

What is the most effective single measure to prevent the spread of infection in hospitals?

1. AHand hygiene
2. BWearing a face mask at all times
3. CGiving every patient antibiotics
4. DKeeping windows closed

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

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

In the lysogenic cycle of a bacteriophage, what happens to the phage DNA?

1. AIt is immediately used to make new phages that burst the cell
2. BIt is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage
3. CIt is destroyed by the bacterium
4. DIt leaves the cell through the pilus

Toxoplasma gondii is a risk in pregnancy. Which advice reduces exposure?

1. AAvoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
2. BAvoid contact with dogs
3. CAvoid swimming pools and all other public bathing areas
4. DAvoid all fruit and vegetables

A child develops bloody diarrhoea after eating an undercooked burger, then a week later has kidney failure, anaemia and a low platelet count. Which organism is most likely?

1. ARotavirus
2. BClostridium perfringens
3. CShiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O157:H7
4. DStaphylococcus aureus

Why must a negative-sense RNA virus such as influenza carry its own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase into the host cell?

1. AHost ribosomes cannot read any viral genes
2. BThe polymerase protects the virus from antibodies
3. CHost cells cannot make mRNA from an RNA template
4. DThe polymerase is needed to integrate the genome into host DNA