About this Study Set
This study set covers Microbiology through
20 practice questions.
A collection of fundamental questions about microbiology, covering basic concepts and common microorganisms. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 20 questions from the
Fundamentals of Microbiology study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What is the primary difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?
-
A
Presence of a nucleus
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B
Ability to reproduce
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C
Need for oxygen
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D
Presence of ribosomes
2
Which type of microorganism is responsible for causing diseases like the common cold and influenza?
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A
Bacteria
-
B
Fungi
-
C
Viruses
-
D
Protozoa
3
What is a common characteristic of yeast and mold?
-
A
They are viruses
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B
They are bacteria
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C
They are fungi
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D
They are protozoa
4
Which scientist is often credited with developing the first effective vaccine?
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A
Louis Pasteur
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B
Robert Koch
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C
Edward Jenner
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D
Alexander Fleming
5
What is the process by which bacteria reproduce asexually?
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A
Meiosis
-
B
Mitosis
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C
Binary fission
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D
Budding
6
Which of the following is an example of a beneficial microorganism found in the human gut?
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A
Salmonella
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B
E. coli (some strains)
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C
Lactobacillus
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D
Staphylococcus aureus
7
What is the primary component of a bacterial cell wall?
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A
Chitin
-
B
Cellulose
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C
Peptidoglycan
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D
Lignin
8
Which term describes a microorganism that can live in the absence of oxygen?
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A
Aerobic
-
B
Anaerobic
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C
Facultative
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D
Microaerophilic
9
What essential function do viruses lack, requiring them to infect host cells?
-
A
Metabolism
-
B
Reproduction
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C
Genetic material
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D
Cellular structure
10
What are the small, rod-shaped structures found in some bacteria that allow them to move?
-
A
Pili
-
B
Capsules
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C
Flagella
-
D
Ribosomes
11
Which disease is caused by the bacterium *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*?
-
A
Malaria
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B
Tuberculosis
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C
Cholera
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D
Typhoid fever
12
What is the function of antibiotics?
-
A
To kill viruses
-
B
To boost the immune system
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C
To kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria
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D
To prevent fungal infections
13
What is the process where a virus replicates inside a host cell?
-
A
Fermentation
-
B
Photosynthesis
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C
Viral replication
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D
Decomposition
14
What are single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles called?
-
A
Eukaryotes
-
B
Viruses
-
C
Prokaryotes
-
D
Fungi
15
Which type of microorganism is responsible for making bread rise?
-
A
Bacteria
-
B
Viruses
-
C
Yeasts
-
D
Protozoa
16
What is the main shape of *Coccus* bacteria?
-
A
Rod-shaped
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B
Spiral-shaped
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C
Spherical
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D
Comma-shaped
17
Which scientist observed microorganisms for the first time using a microscope?
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A
Louis Pasteur
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B
Robert Hooke
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C
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
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D
Gregor Mendel
18
What is a collection of microorganisms growing on a surface called?
-
A
Spore
-
B
Plankton
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C
Biofilm
-
D
Colony
19
Which microorganism is the cause of malaria?
-
A
Bacterium
-
B
Fungus
-
C
Virus
-
D
Protozoan
20
What is the process by which organisms break down dead organic matter?
-
A
Fermentation
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B
Decomposition
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C
Nitrogen fixation
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D
Respiration
