Microbiology worksheet with answers

What is meant by the normal flora (microbiota) of the body?

1. ABacteria that always cause mild infections
2. BMicroorganisms found only in sick patients
3. CMicroorganisms that normally live on or in the body without causing disease
4. DThe white blood cells in healthy tissue

What is an antigen?

1. AA drug that blocks bacterial growth
2. BA type of white blood cell
3. CA molecule that the immune system recognises
4. DA protein made by plasma cells to fight infection

What is a pandemic?

1. AA disease that is always present at a low, stable level in a region
2. BAn epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents
3. CAn outbreak limited to one hospital ward
4. DA single case of a rare disease

Which infection is a typical complication of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, causing severe diarrhoea?

1. AHepatitis A
2. BClostridioides difficile infection
3. CHelicobacter pylori infection
4. DSalmonella infection

How does an mRNA vaccine produce immunity?

1. AThe mRNA kills the virus directly in the blood
2. BThe mRNA contains weakened live virus
3. CThe mRNA is inserted permanently into human DNA
4. DBody cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise

Which is a function of the complement system?

1. AProducing antibodies against newly encountered antigens
2. BForming pores in the membranes of some bacteria
3. CMaking new red blood cells
4. DPresenting antigens to T cells

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

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

Which bacterial toxin causes the muscle spasms of tetanus?

1. ATetanospasmin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitter release
2. BCholera toxin, which activates adenylate cyclase
3. CBotulinum toxin, which blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction
4. DEndotoxin from the outer membrane