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

Which organism causes malaria?

  1. ATrypanosoma
  2. BAnopheles
  3. CPlasmodium
  4. DToxoplasma
2.Easy

Which bacterium is the classic cause of "strep throat"?

  1. AStreptococcus pyogenes
  2. BHaemophilus influenzae
  3. CStaphylococcus aureus
  4. DStreptococcus pneumoniae
3.Easy

What is an obligate anaerobe?

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

Which organism is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes a sexually transmitted infection?

  1. ATrichomonas vaginalis
  2. BNeisseria gonorrhoeae
  3. CChlamydia trachomatis
  4. DTreponema pallidum
5.Medium

Many antifungal drugs target ergosterol. Why does this work?

  1. AErgosterol is the main structural component of bacterial cell walls
  2. BHuman cells use ergosterol to make energy
  3. CErgosterol is only found in viruses
  4. DErgosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
6.Medium

How do people usually become infected with Legionella pneumophila?

  1. ABy person-to-person spread through kissing
  2. BBy inhaling aerosols from contaminated water systems
  3. CBy being bitten by an infected tick
  4. DBy eating undercooked chicken or unpasteurised milk products
7.Hard

A patient taking high-dose immunosuppressive drugs after a transplant is due for vaccinations. Which vaccine type is generally avoided?

  1. AInactivated whole-virus vaccines
  2. BLive attenuated vaccines
  3. CToxoid vaccines
  4. DSubunit vaccines
8.Hard

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

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

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Plasmodium
  2. 2. A · Streptococcus pyogenes
  3. 3. D · An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen
  4. 4. B · Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  5. 5. D · Ergosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
  6. 6. B · By inhaling aerosols from contaminated water systems
  7. 7. B · Live attenuated vaccines
  8. 8. D · Airborne precautions, ideally a negative-pressure room and respirator masks for staff

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