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

How do bacteria usually reproduce?

  1. AMeiosis
  2. BBinary fission
  3. CMitosis with a nuclear membrane
  4. DBudding from a spore
2.Easy

What is a zoonosis?

  1. AAn infection caught in hospital
  2. BAn infection spread through water
  3. CAn infection that spreads from animals to humans
  4. DAn infection that only affects zoo animals
3.Easy

What is the main function of bacterial flagella?

  1. AAttachment to host cells
  2. BMovement
  3. CStorage of nutrients
  4. DProtection against drying out
4.Medium

Why are pregnant women advised to avoid unpasteurised soft cheeses?

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

Which white blood cells are the main phagocytes in an acute bacterial infection and the main component of pus?

  1. ANeutrophils
  2. BB lymphocytes
  3. CBasophils
  4. DEosinophils
6.Medium

In the lysogenic cycle of a bacteriophage, what happens to the phage DNA?

  1. AIt is destroyed by the bacterium
  2. BIt is immediately used to make new phages that burst the cell
  3. CIt leaves the cell through the pilus
  4. DIt is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage
7.Hard

A urinary catheter has become colonised by bacteria in a biofilm. Why is the catheter usually replaced instead of just giving antibiotics?

  1. ABacteria in biofilms are protected and much harder for antibiotics to kill
  2. BBiofilms contain only viruses, so antibiotics do not work
  3. CAntibiotics damage the catheter material
  4. DBiofilm bacteria cannot cause disease
8.Hard

Why can a person get influenza many times but measles usually only once?

  1. AMeasles virus has no surface antigens
  2. BMeasles is caused by a bacterium
  3. CInfluenza attacks and destroys the memory cells formed after infection
  4. DInfluenza viruses change their surface antigens often

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Binary fission
  2. 2. C · An infection that spreads from animals to humans
  3. 3. B · Movement
  4. 4. B · They may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  5. 5. A · Neutrophils
  6. 6. D · It is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage
  7. 7. A · Bacteria in biofilms are protected and much harder for antibiotics to kill
  8. 8. D · Influenza viruses change their surface antigens often

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