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 most effective single measure to prevent the spread of infection in hospitals?

  1. AGiving every patient antibiotics
  2. BHand hygiene
  3. CKeeping windows closed
  4. DWearing a face mask at all times
2.Easy

What is an obligate anaerobe?

  1. AAn organism that lives only in the lungs
  2. BAn organism that needs oxygen to grow
  3. CAn organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. DAn organism that grows both with and without oxygen present
3.Easy

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

  1. ARabies
  2. BTuberculosis
  3. CSmallpox
  4. DPolio
4.Medium

In which phase of the bacterial growth curve do the cells divide at their fastest constant rate?

  1. ALog (exponential) phase
  2. BStationary (plateau) phase
  3. CDeath phase
  4. DLag (adaptation) phase
5.Medium

How does an autoclave sterilise instruments?

  1. AWith steam under pressure at about 121 °C
  2. BWith ultraviolet light only
  3. CWith dry heat at about 60 °C
  4. DWith alcohol vapour at room temperature
6.Medium

How does an mRNA vaccine produce immunity?

  1. AThe mRNA is inserted permanently into human DNA
  2. BBody cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  3. CThe mRNA kills the virus directly in the blood
  4. DThe mRNA contains weakened live virus
7.Hard

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria only if it produces diphtheria toxin. When does it make this toxin?

  1. AWhen it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  2. BOnly when it is grown at high temperature
  3. CWhenever it is exposed to antibiotics
  4. DOnly after it has conjugated with E. coli and received a plasmid
8.Hard

After eating home-canned vegetables, a patient develops double vision, difficulty swallowing and a descending flaccid paralysis. What is the most likely cause?

  1. ATetanus toxin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters
  2. BBotulinum toxin, which blocks acetylcholine release
  3. CA viral infection of the motor neurons
  4. DEndotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Hand hygiene
  2. 2. C · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  3. 3. C · Smallpox
  4. 4. A · Log (exponential) phase
  5. 5. A · With steam under pressure at about 121 °C
  6. 6. B · Body cells use the mRNA to make a viral protein that the immune system learns to recognise
  7. 7. A · When it carries a bacteriophage with the toxin gene
  8. 8. B · Botulinum toxin, which blocks acetylcholine release

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