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

Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

  1. ARobert Koch
  2. BLouis Pasteur
  3. CAlexander Fleming
  4. DJoseph Lister
2.Easy

Why are viruses called obligate intracellular parasites?

  1. AThey always kill the host cell immediately
  2. BThey can only replicate inside a living host cell
  3. CThey only live inside the intestine
  4. DThey can only be seen inside a cell under a microscope
3.Easy

What is a zoonosis?

  1. AAn infection that spreads from animals to humans
  2. BAn infection spread through water
  3. CAn infection caught in hospital
  4. DAn infection that only affects zoo animals
4.Medium

Which cells does HIV mainly infect and destroy?

  1. ARed blood cells
  2. BCD4 T helper cells
  3. CPlatelets
  4. DNeutrophils
5.Medium

Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines are toxoids. What does that mean?

  1. AThey contain an inactivated toxin that still triggers an immune response
  2. BThey contain the bacterial DNA only
  3. CThey contain live bacteria that cannot make toxin
  4. DThey contain ready-made antibodies against the toxin, giving passive immunity
6.Medium

Many antifungal drugs target ergosterol. Why does this work?

  1. AHuman cells use ergosterol to make energy
  2. BErgosterol is only found in viruses
  3. CErgosterol is the main structural component of bacterial cell walls
  4. DErgosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
7.Hard

Why is Chlamydia trachomatis usually diagnosed with nucleic acid amplification tests instead of routine culture on agar?

  1. AIt dies immediately in the presence of oxygen
  2. BIt is a virus and has no DNA
  3. CIt is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media
  4. DIt is too large to grow on agar plates
8.Hard

Gram-positive cocci are found. Which test quickly separates staphylococci from streptococci?

  1. AThe acid-fast stain
  2. BThe catalase test
  3. CThe coagulase test
  4. DGrowth on MacConkey agar

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Alexander Fleming
  2. 2. B · They can only replicate inside a living host cell
  3. 3. A · An infection that spreads from animals to humans
  4. 4. B · CD4 T helper cells
  5. 5. A · They contain an inactivated toxin that still triggers an immune response
  6. 6. D · Ergosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
  7. 7. C · It is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media
  8. 8. B · The catalase test

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