Microbiology Vocabulary

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Date:

Instructions: Explore the invisible world of microorganisms with terms about bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the microscopic life all around us.

1.
What is a 'pathogen'?
A
A beneficial bacterium
B
A microorganism that causes disease
C
A type of microscope
D
A chemical that kills bacteria
2.
What does 'antibiotic' mean?
A
A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria
B
A substance that promotes bacterial growth
C
A vaccine ingredient
D
A type of virus
3.
What is a 'bacteriophage'?
A
A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria
B
A disease caused by bacteria
C
A type of fungus
D
A bacterial colony
4.
What does 'sterilization' achieve?
A
The complete elimination of all forms of microbial life
B
Removing toxins from food
C
Slowing bacterial growth
D
Reducing the number of bacteria
5.
What is the 'microbiome'?
A
A laboratory for studying microbes
B
A sterilization technique
C
The community of microorganisms living in a particular environment, such as the human body
D
A type of microscope
6.
What is an 'amoeba'?
A
A parasitic worm
B
A single-celled organism that moves by changing shape using pseudopods
C
A type of virus
D
A type of bacteria
7.
What does 'fermentation' involve?
A
Heating food to kill germs
B
A metabolic process where microorganisms break down sugars without oxygen
C
Freezing bacteria to preserve them
D
Filtering water to remove impurities
8.
What is a 'petri dish' used for?
A
Storing chemicals
B
Culturing and observing microorganisms in a laboratory
C
Viewing cells under a microscope
D
Measuring temperature
9.
What is 'antibiotic resistance'?
A
The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them
B
An allergy to antibiotics
C
The side effects of taking antibiotics
D
A person's immunity to disease
10.
What does 'anaerobic' mean?
A
Producing oxygen
B
Requiring oxygen to survive
C
Breathing through gills
D
Living or occurring in the absence of oxygen
11.
What is 'pasteurization'?
A
A way to freeze-dry food
B
A chemical preservative
C
A method of growing bacteria
D
A heat treatment process that kills harmful microorganisms in food and beverages
12.
What is a 'prion'?
A
A tiny bacterium
B
A type of fungal spore
C
A misfolded protein that can cause disease by inducing other proteins to misfold
D
A beneficial gut microbe
13.
What does 'contagious' mean?
A
Caused by bacteria only
B
Treatable with antibiotics
C
Capable of being spread from one person or organism to another
D
Visible under a microscope
14.
What is a 'biofilm'?
A
A documentary about microbes
B
A thin layer of microorganisms that adheres to a surface
C
A type of laboratory slide
D
A protective covering for wounds
15.
What is 'gram staining' used for?
A
Weighing bacteria
B
A laboratory technique to classify bacteria into two groups based on cell wall structure
C
Measuring antibiotic effectiveness
D
Coloring microscope lenses

Answer Key

Question 1

B. A microorganism that causes disease

Question 2

A. A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria

Question 3

A. A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria

Question 4

A. The complete elimination of all forms of microbial life

Question 5

C. The community of microorganisms living in a particular environment, such as the human body

Question 6

B. A single-celled organism that moves by changing shape using pseudopods

Question 7

B. A metabolic process where microorganisms break down sugars without oxygen

Question 8

B. Culturing and observing microorganisms in a laboratory

Question 9

A. The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them

Question 10

D. Living or occurring in the absence of oxygen

Question 11

D. A heat treatment process that kills harmful microorganisms in food and beverages

Question 12

C. A misfolded protein that can cause disease by inducing other proteins to misfold

Question 13

C. Capable of being spread from one person or organism to another

Question 14

B. A thin layer of microorganisms that adheres to a surface

Question 15

B. A laboratory technique to classify bacteria into two groups based on cell wall structure

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