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

Which of these is a protozoan?

  1. AGiardia lamblia
  2. BRotavirus
  3. CEscherichia coli
  4. DCandida albicans
2.Easy

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

  1. AWearing a face mask at all times
  2. BGiving every patient antibiotics
  3. CKeeping windows closed
  4. DHand hygiene
3.Easy

What shape are cocci?

  1. ARound
  2. BRod-shaped
  3. CSpiral
  4. DComma-shaped
4.Medium

Why are Gram-negative bacteria often harder to treat with antibiotics?

  1. AThey divide much more slowly
  2. BThey have no ribosomes
  3. CThey have a thicker peptidoglycan layer
  4. DTheir outer membrane blocks many drugs
5.Medium

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

  1. AAntiviral drugs
  2. BStopping all oral fluid intake so that the bowel can rest and recover
  3. CReplacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  4. DAntifungal drugs
6.Medium

Which bacterium is the most common cause of stomach ulcers?

  1. AStaphylococcus aureus
  2. BEscherichia coli
  3. CHelicobacter pylori
  4. DClostridioides difficile
7.Hard

Joseph Lister reduced infection after surgery in the 1860s. What was his main innovation?

  1. AVaccinating surgeons against staphylococci
  2. BGiving sulfonamide antibiotics after every operation
  3. CUsing carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic on wounds and instruments
  4. DUsing steam autoclaves to sterilise all surgical instruments before each operation
8.Hard

Why are penicillins ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

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

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Giardia lamblia
  2. 2. D · Hand hygiene
  3. 3. A · Round
  4. 4. D · Their outer membrane blocks many drugs
  5. 5. C · Replacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  6. 6. C · Helicobacter pylori
  7. 7. C · Using carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic on wounds and instruments
  8. 8. C · It has no cell wall for penicillin to act on

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