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

What shape are cocci?

  1. ASpiral
  2. BRound
  3. CComma-shaped
  4. DRod-shaped
2.Easy

What is sterilisation?

  1. AKilling only bacteria but not viruses
  2. BReducing the number of microorganisms to a level safe for patients
  3. CKilling or removing all microorganisms including spores
  4. DCleaning visible dirt from surfaces
3.Easy

How is HIV mainly transmitted?

  1. AThrough shared drinking glasses
  2. BThrough blood, sexual contact and from mother to child
  3. CThrough mosquito bites
  4. DThrough coughing, sneezing and sharing cups or cutlery with others
4.Medium

Why are pregnant women advised to avoid unpasteurised soft cheeses?

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

Which organism causes typhoid fever?

  1. ACampylobacter jejuni
  2. BVibrio cholerae
  3. CSalmonella Typhi
  4. DShigella dysenteriae
6.Medium

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

  1. AReplacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  2. BStopping all oral fluid intake so that the bowel can rest and recover
  3. CAntiviral drugs
  4. DAntifungal drugs
7.Hard

A patient with suspected infectious pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which precautions are needed?

  1. ANo special precautions, because TB spreads only by blood
  2. BAirborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  3. CDroplet precautions with a surgical mask, and only within one metre
  4. DContact precautions only, with gloves and an apron
8.Hard

Which process can produce a completely new influenza A subtype that causes a pandemic?

  1. AAntigenic shift through reassortment of gene segments
  2. BAntigenic drift through gradual accumulation of point mutations
  3. CTransformation with free DNA
  4. DLysogenic conversion by a bacteriophage

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Round
  2. 2. C · Killing or removing all microorganisms including spores
  3. 3. B · Through blood, sexual contact and from mother to child
  4. 4. C · They may contain Listeria, which can harm the fetus
  5. 5. C · Salmonella Typhi
  6. 6. A · Replacing fluid and salts by oral or intravenous rehydration
  7. 7. B · Airborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  8. 8. A · Antigenic shift through reassortment of gene segments

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