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 the main purpose of bacterial endospores?

  1. ATo survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  2. BTo reproduce quickly when nutrients and water are plentiful
  3. CTo move towards nutrients
  4. DTo exchange DNA with other bacteria
2.Easy

Which disease has been eradicated worldwide through vaccination?

  1. ATuberculosis
  2. BMalaria
  3. CSmallpox
  4. DMeasles
3.Easy

Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

  1. ARobert Koch
  2. BLouis Pasteur
  3. CJoseph Lister
  4. DAlexander Fleming
4.Medium

Which statement is one of Koch's postulates?

  1. AThe organism must be visible with the naked eye
  2. BThe disease must respond to antibiotics
  3. CThe organism must be found in healthy people as well
  4. DThe organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
5.Medium

Cholera causes profuse "rice-water" diarrhoea. What is the most important treatment?

  1. AReplacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  2. BAntifungal drugs
  3. CAntiviral drugs
  4. DStopping all oral fluid intake so that the bowel can rest and recover
6.Medium

Which is a function of the complement system?

  1. AProducing antibodies against newly encountered antigens
  2. BForming pores in the membranes of some bacteria
  3. CMaking new red blood cells
  4. DPresenting antigens to T cells
7.Hard

Which hepatitis viruses are mainly spread through contaminated food and water?

  1. AHepatitis B and D
  2. BHepatitis B and C
  3. CHepatitis C and E
  4. DHepatitis A and E
8.Hard

Why can an HIV antibody test be negative in the first weeks after infection?

  1. AThe body has not yet produced enough antibodies to detect
  2. BThe virus hides only in red blood cells during the first weeks
  3. CThe antibodies are destroyed by the test reagents
  4. DHIV does not trigger antibody production at all

Answer key

  1. 1. A · To survive harsh conditions such as heat and drying
  2. 2. C · Smallpox
  3. 3. D · Alexander Fleming
  4. 4. D · The organism must cause the same disease when introduced into a healthy susceptible host
  5. 5. A · Replacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  6. 6. B · Forming pores in the membranes of some bacteria
  7. 7. D · Hepatitis A and E
  8. 8. A · The body has not yet produced enough antibodies to detect

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