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

What is the main function of bacterial flagella?

  1. AAttachment to host cells
  2. BProtection against drying out
  3. CStorage of nutrients
  4. DMovement
2.Easy

How does measles mainly spread?

  1. AThrough sexual contact
  2. BThrough contaminated food
  3. CThrough insect bites
  4. DThrough the air in droplets and aerosols
3.Easy

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

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

Which bacterium causes whooping cough (pertussis)?

  1. AMycoplasma pneumoniae
  2. BHaemophilus influenzae
  3. CBordetella pertussis
  4. DCorynebacterium diphtheriae
5.Medium

Which organism is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes a sexually transmitted infection?

  1. ATrichomonas vaginalis
  2. BNeisseria gonorrhoeae
  3. CTreponema pallidum
  4. DChlamydia trachomatis
6.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 disease must respond to antibiotics
  3. CThe organism must be found in healthy people as well
  4. DThe organism must be visible with the naked eye
7.Hard

Which process can produce a completely new influenza A subtype that causes a pandemic?

  1. AAntigenic shift through reassortment of gene segments
  2. BTransformation with free DNA
  3. CAntigenic drift through gradual accumulation of point mutations
  4. DLysogenic conversion by a bacteriophage
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. AChronic hepatitis B infection
  2. BCurrent acute hepatitis B infection
  3. CImmunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  4. DPast natural infection that has cleared

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Movement
  2. 2. D · Through the air in droplets and aerosols
  3. 3. B · Microorganisms that normally live on or in the body without causing disease
  4. 4. C · Bordetella pertussis
  5. 5. B · Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  6. 6. A · The organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  7. 7. A · Antigenic shift through reassortment of gene segments
  8. 8. C · Immunity from hepatitis B vaccination

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