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

Edward Jenner is known for developing vaccination against which disease?

  1. APolio
  2. BRabies
  3. CSmallpox
  4. DTuberculosis
2.Easy

Which disease has been eradicated worldwide through vaccination?

  1. ASmallpox
  2. BTuberculosis
  3. CMeasles
  4. DMalaria
3.Easy

Which structure do bacteria have but human cells do not?

  1. ADNA
  2. BRibosomes
  3. CA peptidoglycan cell wall
  4. DA phospholipid cell membrane
4.Medium

Which virus family includes the viruses that cause cold sores and chickenpox?

  1. AHerpesviruses
  2. BCoronaviruses
  3. CPicornaviruses
  4. DRetroviruses
5.Medium

Which infection is a typical complication of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, causing severe diarrhoea?

  1. AClostridioides difficile infection
  2. BSalmonella infection
  3. CHepatitis A
  4. DHelicobacter pylori infection
6.Medium

What does PCR do in a diagnostic laboratory?

  1. AIt makes many copies of a specific DNA sequence so it can be detected
  2. BIt stains bacteria so they can be seen
  3. CIt grows bacteria faster on agar plates
  4. DIt measures the level of specific antibodies in a patient's serum sample
7.Hard

In 1854 John Snow traced a cholera outbreak in London to the Broad Street water pump. Why is this study important?

  1. AIt showed that cholera spreads through contaminated water, founding modern epidemiology
  2. BIt proved that cholera is caused by a virus
  3. CIt showed that cholera spreads through "bad air" (miasma)
  4. DIt led directly to the first cholera vaccine
8.Hard

A young adult with sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes is given amoxicillin and develops a widespread rash. Which infection is most likely?

  1. AChickenpox
  2. BMeasles
  3. CInfectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus
  4. DStreptococcal tonsillitis

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Smallpox
  2. 2. A · Smallpox
  3. 3. C · A peptidoglycan cell wall
  4. 4. A · Herpesviruses
  5. 5. A · Clostridioides difficile infection
  6. 6. A · It makes many copies of a specific DNA sequence so it can be detected
  7. 7. A · It showed that cholera spreads through contaminated water, founding modern epidemiology
  8. 8. C · Infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein–Barr virus

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