Microbiology worksheet with answers

What is a pathogen?

1. AA cell of the immune system
2. BA drug that kills bacteria
3. CA microorganism that can cause disease
4. DAny microorganism living on the skin

What is a bacteriophage?

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

What is the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

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

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 all fruit and vegetables
4. DAvoid swimming pools and all other public bathing areas

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a person with advanced HIV is an example of:

1. AA food-borne infection
2. BAn opportunistic infection
3. CA zoonotic infection
4. DA vector-borne infection

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

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

Why can a person get influenza many times but measles usually only once?

1. AInfluenza attacks and destroys the memory cells formed after infection
2. BMeasles virus has no surface antigens
3. CMeasles is caused by a bacterium
4. DInfluenza viruses change their surface antigens often

Joseph Lister reduced infection after surgery in the 1860s. What was his main innovation?

1. AUsing carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic on wounds and instruments
2. BVaccinating surgeons against staphylococci
3. CUsing steam autoclaves to sterilise all surgical instruments before each operation
4. DGiving sulfonamide antibiotics after every operation