Microbiology worksheet with answers

In infection control, what is a vector?

1. AAn object such as a door handle that carries germs between patients on a ward
2. BA living organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
3. CA drug used to prevent infection
4. DThe first person infected in an outbreak

How do bacteria usually reproduce?

1. ABudding from a spore
2. BMeiosis
3. CMitosis with a nuclear membrane
4. DBinary fission

What shape are cocci?

1. AComma-shaped
2. BRound
3. CSpiral
4. DRod-shaped

Toxoplasma gondii is a risk in pregnancy. Which advice reduces exposure?

1. AAvoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
2. BAvoid contact with dogs
3. CAvoid swimming pools and all other public bathing areas
4. DAvoid all fruit and vegetables

Which bacterium is the most common cause of stomach ulcers?

1. AStaphylococcus aureus
2. BClostridioides difficile
3. CHelicobacter pylori
4. DEscherichia coli

Which organism causes typhoid fever?

1. ASalmonella Typhi
2. BVibrio cholerae
3. CShigella dysenteriae
4. DCampylobacter jejuni

Why are beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid combined with amoxicillin?

1. AThey protect amoxicillin from bacterial enzymes that destroy it
2. BThey kill bacteria by themselves through the cell membrane
3. CThey make amoxicillin active against viruses
4. DThey slow the excretion of amoxicillin by the kidneys, raising its level

On MacConkey agar, pink colonies grow from a urine sample. What does this tell you?

1. AThe organism is a Gram-positive coccus
2. BThe organism is a fungus
3. CThe organism is probably a Gram-negative rod that ferments lactose
4. DThe organism does not ferment lactose, so it is probably Salmonella