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

Which type of microorganism causes athlete's foot?

  1. ABacterium
  2. BVirus
  3. CFungus
  4. DProtozoan
2.Easy

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by:

  1. ACoughing and sneezing
  2. BTick bites
  3. CMosquito bites
  4. DContaminated water
3.Easy

Vaccines protect against disease mainly by:

  1. AProviding ready-made antibodies that remain in the blood for life
  2. BBlocking all viruses from entering cells
  3. CKilling bacteria directly in the blood
  4. DStimulating the immune system to form memory cells
4.Medium

Which statement is one of Koch's postulates?

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

What does PCR do in a diagnostic laboratory?

  1. AIt grows bacteria faster on agar plates
  2. BIt stains bacteria so they can be seen
  3. CIt makes many copies of a specific DNA sequence so it can be detected
  4. DIt measures the level of specific antibodies in a patient's serum sample
6.Medium

Cholera causes profuse "rice-water" diarrhoea. What is the most important treatment?

  1. AAntiviral drugs
  2. BAntifungal drugs
  3. CReplacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  4. DStopping all oral fluid intake so that the bowel can rest and recover
7.Hard

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

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

A healthcare worker's blood test is positive for anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) and negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc. What does this most likely mean?

  1. AImmunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  2. BPast natural infection that has cleared
  3. CChronic hepatitis B infection
  4. DCurrent acute hepatitis B infection

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Fungus
  2. 2. B · Tick bites
  3. 3. D · Stimulating the immune system to form memory cells
  4. 4. A · The organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  5. 5. C · It makes many copies of a specific DNA sequence so it can be detected
  6. 6. C · Replacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  7. 7. A · Hepatitis A and E
  8. 8. A · Immunity from hepatitis B vaccination

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