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

What is a yeast?

  1. AA single-celled fungus
  2. BA multicellular parasite
  3. CA type of spiral bacterium
  4. DA small virus
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

Which of these is usually the smallest?

  1. AA virus
  2. BA yeast cell
  3. CA bacterium
  4. DA red blood cell
4.Medium

Why does high vaccination coverage also protect babies too young to be vaccinated?

  1. AVaccinated people pass antibodies to everyone they meet
  2. BFewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  3. CVaccines kill the pathogen in the environment
  4. DBabies are naturally immune to all vaccine-preventable diseases
5.Medium

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a person with advanced HIV is an example of:

  1. AA zoonotic infection
  2. BA vector-borne infection
  3. CA food-borne infection
  4. DAn opportunistic infection
6.Medium

In the chain of infection, what is the "reservoir"?

  1. AThe person who is most at risk of infection
  2. BThe place where the pathogen normally lives and multiplies
  3. CThe way the pathogen enters a new host
  4. DThe route by which the pathogen leaves the infected host's body
7.Hard

How do high-risk HPV types contribute to cervical cancer?

  1. AThe virus produces an endotoxin that damages DNA
  2. BThe virus destroys CD4 T cells in the cervix
  3. CViral E6 and E7 proteins inactivate the tumour suppressors p53 and Rb
  4. DThe virus kills cells so quickly that they are replaced by cancer cells
8.Hard

A teenager has fever, neck stiffness and a non-blanching purple rash. CSF shows Gram-negative diplococci. Which organism is most likely?

  1. AListeria monocytogenes
  2. BStreptococcus pneumoniae
  3. CNeisseria meningitidis
  4. DEscherichia coli

Answer key

  1. 1. A · A single-celled fungus
  2. 2. A · Killing or removing all microorganisms including spores
  3. 3. A · A virus
  4. 4. B · Fewer people can pass on the infection, so it spreads less
  5. 5. D · An opportunistic infection
  6. 6. B · The place where the pathogen normally lives and multiplies
  7. 7. C · Viral E6 and E7 proteins inactivate the tumour suppressors p53 and Rb
  8. 8. C · Neisseria meningitidis

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