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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which organism causes malaria?

  1. ATrypanosoma
  2. BPlasmodium
  3. CToxoplasma
  4. DAnopheles
2.Easy

What is the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

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

What is an obligate anaerobe?

  1. AAn organism that lives only in the lungs
  2. BAn organism that grows both with and without oxygen present
  3. CAn organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. DAn organism that needs oxygen to grow
4.Medium

Which part of the immune system produces antibodies?

  1. ANeutrophils
  2. BPlasma cells derived from B lymphocytes
  3. CNatural killer cells
  4. DCytotoxic T cells activated in the lymph nodes
5.Medium

Which antibody class is the first to rise in a new infection?

  1. AIgM
  2. BIgG
  3. CIgA
  4. DIgE
6.Medium

Which cells does HIV mainly infect and destroy?

  1. ARed blood cells
  2. BNeutrophils
  3. CPlatelets
  4. DCD4 T helper cells
7.Hard

What did Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment demonstrate?

  1. ABoiling cannot kill microorganisms
  2. BMicroorganisms need light to grow
  3. CMicroorganisms come from other microorganisms, not from spontaneous generation
  4. DAir itself produces microorganisms
8.Hard

How do retroviruses such as HIV copy their genome into the host DNA?

  1. AThe viral RNA is translated into DNA by ribosomes
  2. BHost DNA polymerase copies the RNA without help
  3. CReverse transcriptase makes DNA from viral RNA, and integrase inserts it
  4. DThe viral DNA is copied directly by host RNA polymerase

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Plasmodium
  2. 2. C · To survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  3. 3. C · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. 4. B · Plasma cells derived from B lymphocytes
  5. 5. A · IgM
  6. 6. D · CD4 T helper cells
  7. 7. C · Microorganisms come from other microorganisms, not from spontaneous generation
  8. 8. C · Reverse transcriptase makes DNA from viral RNA, and integrase inserts it

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.