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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1.Easy

What is sterilisation?

  1. AKilling or removing all microorganisms including spores
  2. BCleaning visible dirt from surfaces
  3. CReducing the number of microorganisms to a level safe for patients
  4. DKilling only bacteria but not viruses
2.Easy

Which disease has been eradicated worldwide through vaccination?

  1. AMalaria
  2. BSmallpox
  3. CMeasles
  4. DTuberculosis
3.Easy

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

  1. AStreptococcus pneumoniae
  2. BStreptococcus pyogenes
  3. CHaemophilus influenzae
  4. DStaphylococcus aureus
4.Medium

Which organism causes typhoid fever?

  1. AVibrio cholerae
  2. BCampylobacter jejuni
  3. CShigella dysenteriae
  4. DSalmonella Typhi
5.Medium

Why are pregnant women advised to avoid unpasteurised soft cheeses?

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

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

  1. ANo cell wall at all
  2. BA polysaccharide capsule that blocks the entry of all beta-lactams
  3. CAn efflux pump for every antibiotic
  4. DAn altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
7.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. APast natural infection that has cleared
  2. BCurrent acute hepatitis B infection
  3. CImmunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  4. DChronic hepatitis B infection
8.Hard

In the 1840s Ignaz Semmelweis lowered deaths from puerperal fever in a Vienna maternity clinic. What did he introduce?

  1. AHandwashing with chlorinated lime before examining women
  2. BVaccination of all mothers before birth
  3. CTreating mothers with penicillin
  4. DKeeping mothers in separate isolation rooms after delivery

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Killing or removing all microorganisms including spores
  2. 2. B · Smallpox
  3. 3. B · Streptococcus pyogenes
  4. 4. D · Salmonella Typhi
  5. 5. D · They may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  6. 6. D · An altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
  7. 7. C · Immunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  8. 8. A · Handwashing with chlorinated lime before examining women

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