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

Tapeworms and roundworms are examples of:

  1. AFungi
  2. BProtozoa
  3. CHelminths
  4. DPrions
2.Easy

What is sterilisation?

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

The HPV vaccine mainly protects against:

  1. AHerpes simplex infection
  2. BHIV infection
  3. CCervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
  4. DHepatitis B and liver cancer
4.Medium

What is the main difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

  1. AInnate immunity develops only after vaccination
  2. BAdaptive immunity is specific and forms memory; innate immunity does not
  3. CInnate immunity uses antibodies and forms memory; adaptive immunity does not
  4. DAdaptive immunity acts within minutes of infection
5.Medium

What is endotoxin?

  1. AA protein toxin secreted by Gram-positive bacteria into the surrounding tissue
  2. BA toxin made by fungi in damp buildings
  3. CThe lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
  4. DA toxin produced only inside human cells
6.Medium

MRSA is resistant to methicillin because it has:

  1. AA polysaccharide capsule that blocks the entry of all beta-lactams
  2. BNo cell wall at all
  3. CAn altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
  4. DAn efflux pump for every antibiotic
7.Hard

Why is Chlamydia trachomatis usually diagnosed with nucleic acid amplification tests instead of routine culture on agar?

  1. AIt dies immediately in the presence of oxygen
  2. BIt is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media
  3. CIt is too large to grow on agar plates
  4. DIt is a virus and has no DNA
8.Hard

Why are penicillins ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

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

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Helminths
  2. 2. A · Killing or removing all microorganisms including spores
  3. 3. C · Cervical and other cancers caused by human papillomavirus
  4. 4. B · Adaptive immunity is specific and forms memory; innate immunity does not
  5. 5. C · The lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
  6. 6. C · An altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a)
  7. 7. B · It is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media
  8. 8. B · It has no cell wall for penicillin to act on

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