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 shape are cocci?

  1. ASpiral
  2. BRound
  3. CRod-shaped
  4. DComma-shaped
2.Easy

Which bacterium is the classic cause of "strep throat"?

  1. AHaemophilus influenzae
  2. BStaphylococcus aureus
  3. CStreptococcus pyogenes
  4. DStreptococcus pneumoniae
3.Easy

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

  1. APolio
  2. BSmallpox
  3. CRabies
  4. DTuberculosis
4.Medium

Which organism causes typhoid fever?

  1. ASalmonella Typhi
  2. BVibrio cholerae
  3. CCampylobacter jejuni
  4. DShigella dysenteriae
5.Medium

How does an autoclave sterilise instruments?

  1. AWith dry heat at about 60 °C
  2. BWith alcohol vapour at room temperature
  3. CWith ultraviolet light only
  4. DWith steam under pressure at about 121 °C
6.Medium

Which organism causes tuberculosis, and what makes it hard to stain with the Gram method?

  1. AMycobacterium tuberculosis, which has a waxy mycolic acid wall
  2. BLegionella pneumophila, which lives inside amoebae
  3. CMycoplasma pneumoniae, which has no cell wall to take up the stain
  4. DStreptococcus pneumoniae, which has a capsule
7.Hard

A patient with suspected infectious pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which precautions are needed?

  1. AContact precautions only, with gloves and an apron
  2. BAirborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  3. CDroplet precautions with a surgical mask, and only within one metre
  4. DNo special precautions, because TB spreads only by blood
8.Hard

Why are penicillins ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  1. AIt has a thick waxy mycolic acid layer that blocks entry
  2. BIt lives only inside red blood cells
  3. CIt has no cell wall for penicillin to act on
  4. DIt produces large amounts of beta-lactamase

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Round
  2. 2. C · Streptococcus pyogenes
  3. 3. B · Smallpox
  4. 4. A · Salmonella Typhi
  5. 5. D · With steam under pressure at about 121 °C
  6. 6. A · Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which has a waxy mycolic acid wall
  7. 7. B · Airborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  8. 8. C · It has no cell wall for penicillin to act on

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