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 is an obligate anaerobe?

  1. AAn organism that grows both with and without oxygen present
  2. BAn organism that lives only in the lungs
  3. CAn organism that needs oxygen to grow
  4. DAn organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
2.Easy

Which of these is usually the smallest?

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

Which disease has been eradicated worldwide through vaccination?

  1. ATuberculosis
  2. BMalaria
  3. CMeasles
  4. DSmallpox
4.Medium

In which phase of the bacterial growth curve do the cells divide at their fastest constant rate?

  1. ADeath phase
  2. BLag (adaptation) phase
  3. CLog (exponential) phase
  4. DStationary (plateau) phase
5.Medium

Which laboratory test separates Staphylococcus aureus from most other staphylococci?

  1. AThe Gram stain
  2. BThe coagulase test
  3. CThe acid-fast stain
  4. DThe catalase test
6.Medium

How does an autoclave sterilise instruments?

  1. AWith dry heat at about 60 °C
  2. BWith ultraviolet light only
  3. CWith steam under pressure at about 121 °C
  4. DWith alcohol vapour at room temperature
7.Hard

A healthcare worker's blood test is positive for anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) and negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc. What does this most likely mean?

  1. APast natural infection that has cleared
  2. BChronic hepatitis B infection
  3. CImmunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  4. DCurrent acute hepatitis B infection
8.Hard

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

  1. AAirborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff
  2. BNo special precautions, because TB spreads only by blood
  3. CContact precautions only, with gloves and an apron
  4. DDroplet precautions with a surgical mask, and only within one metre

Answer key

  1. 1. D · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  2. 2. B · A virus
  3. 3. D · Smallpox
  4. 4. C · Log (exponential) phase
  5. 5. B · The coagulase test
  6. 6. C · With steam under pressure at about 121 °C
  7. 7. C · Immunity from hepatitis B vaccination
  8. 8. A · Airborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff

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