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

What is a bacteriophage?

  1. AA white blood cell that eats bacteria
  2. BAn antibiotic made by fungi
  3. CA bacterium that infects viruses
  4. DA virus that infects bacteria
2.Easy

Which microorganism most often causes oral or vaginal thrush?

  1. ATrichomonas vaginalis
  2. BCandida albicans
  3. CStaphylococcus aureus
  4. DHerpes simplex virus
3.Easy

What is an obligate anaerobe?

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

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

  1. AIgM
  2. BIgE
  3. CIgG
  4. DIgA
5.Medium

Which cells does HIV mainly infect and destroy?

  1. ACD4 T helper cells
  2. BNeutrophils
  3. CRed blood cells
  4. DPlatelets
6.Medium

Why are pregnant women advised to avoid unpasteurised soft cheeses?

  1. AThey may contain tapeworm eggs
  2. BThey contain too much lactose for the fetus
  3. CThey often contain the hepatitis C virus, which crosses the placenta
  4. DThey may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
7.Hard

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria only if it produces diphtheria toxin. When does it make this toxin?

  1. AWhenever it is exposed to antibiotics
  2. BOnly when it is grown at high temperature
  3. CWhen it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  4. DOnly after it has conjugated with E. coli and received a plasmid
8.Hard

Which bacterial toxin causes the muscle spasms of tetanus?

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

Answer key

  1. 1. D · A virus that infects bacteria
  2. 2. B · Candida albicans
  3. 3. A · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. 4. A · IgM
  5. 5. A · CD4 T helper cells
  6. 6. D · They may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  7. 7. C · When it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  8. 8. A · Tetanospasmin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitter release

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