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

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by:

  1. AContaminated water
  2. BCoughing and sneezing
  3. CTick bites
  4. DMosquito bites
2.Easy

What is a pandemic?

  1. AAn epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents
  2. BAn outbreak limited to one hospital ward
  3. CA disease that is always present at a low, stable level in a region
  4. DA single case of a rare disease
3.Easy

What colour do Gram-positive bacteria stain in a Gram stain?

  1. AGreen
  2. BPurple
  3. CPink
  4. DColourless
4.Medium

Why does high vaccination coverage also protect babies too young to be vaccinated?

  1. ABabies are naturally immune to all vaccine-preventable diseases
  2. BVaccines kill the pathogen in the environment
  3. CVaccinated people pass antibodies to everyone they meet
  4. DFewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
5.Medium

What is the main virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the target of its vaccines?

  1. AIts polysaccharide capsule
  2. BIts cholera-like toxin
  3. CIts flagella
  4. DIts endospores
6.Medium

Which bacterium is the most common cause of stomach ulcers?

  1. AHelicobacter pylori
  2. BClostridioides difficile
  3. CStaphylococcus aureus
  4. DEscherichia coli
7.Hard

Prions differ from all other infectious agents because they:

  1. AContain only RNA, with no protein coat surrounding the genome
  2. BCan only infect bacteria
  3. CContain no nucleic acid and consist of misfolded protein
  4. DAre killed by normal cooking and disinfection
8.Hard

A positive blood culture shows Gram-positive cocci in clusters. Which organism is most likely?

  1. ANeisseria
  2. BStreptococcus
  3. CStaphylococcus
  4. DEnterococcus in short chains

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Tick bites
  2. 2. A · An epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents
  3. 3. B · Purple
  4. 4. D · Fewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  5. 5. A · Its polysaccharide capsule
  6. 6. A · Helicobacter pylori
  7. 7. C · Contain no nucleic acid and consist of misfolded protein
  8. 8. C · Staphylococcus

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