Introduction To Microbiology Quiz Questions And Answers

Reviewed by Lindsey Block
Lindsey Block, PhD (Cellular & Molecular Biology) |
Lecturer | Molecular Biologist | Reproductive Scientist
Review Board Member
Lindsey, Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializes in Zika's impact on conception and preterm birth biomarkers. She completed courese on Advanced Cell Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Advanced Virology at University College Cork. Lindsey's accolades include three first-author papers, three fellowships, and active participation in five conference presentations. Currently associated with the University of Pennsylvania through a T32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, she continues to contribute significantly to her field, combining academic rigor with practical research to advance understanding in reproductive health and prenatal care. Currently, she is a full time lecturer at Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine.
 , PhD (Cellular & Molecular Biology)
By Lola Agbetunsin
Lola Agbetunsin, Teacher & Student Mentor
Lola Agbetunsin, an educator with a mission to guide students on their journey to success and provide them with the tools they need for a bright future.
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About This Quiz

The scientific study of biology deals with everything that we know about life on earth. Take this introduction to microbiology quiz questions and answers to check your knowledge. Biology has you covered, whether it’s the wonderful species in the animal kingdom, the plants that make up our environment, or even us ourselves. Today, however, we’ll be talking about those organisms you can’t see with the naked eye as we take a dive into microbiology! Let’s begin with this introductory quiz!

Introduction To Microbiology Quiz Questions And Answers - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    A portion of well-mixed urine can be aliquoted into B-D vacutainer urine C&S transport kit that contains freeze-dried preservative to preserve (prevent overgrowth of bacteria) during transport 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because the B-D vacutainer urine C&S transport kit contains a freeze-dried preservative that helps preserve the urine and prevent the overgrowth of bacteria during transport. This allows for accurate testing of the urine sample without the risk of bacterial contamination.

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  • 3. 

    Stool specimen in Cary Blair medium can be used for C&S.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Cary Blair medium is a transport medium commonly used to preserve stool specimens for culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing. It contains a combination of ingredients that help maintain the viability of bacteria in the specimen during transportation to the laboratory. This allows for the isolation and identification of potential pathogens present in the stool, as well as testing their susceptibility to various antibiotics. Therefore, it is correct to say that stool specimens in Cary Blair medium can be used for C&S.

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  • 4. 

    A large sterile tube with a funnel-like insert to direct sputum into the tube is commonly used as a sputum collection system

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because a large sterile tube with a funnel-like insert is indeed commonly used as a sputum collection system. This type of system helps to ensure that the sputum is collected in a clean and sterile manner, reducing the risk of contamination. The funnel-like insert helps to direct the sputum into the tube, making it easier to collect and transport for further analysis or testing. Overall, this type of collection system is widely used in healthcare settings for sputum collection.

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  • 5. 

    It is common for the patient to first rinse their mouth with plain water to reduce the number of oral (mouth) bacteria present that can contaminate the sputum sample

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Rinsing the mouth with plain water before collecting a sputum sample is a common practice to reduce the number of oral bacteria present in the mouth. This is important because these bacteria can contaminate the sputum sample, leading to inaccurate test results. By rinsing the mouth, the patient can minimize the presence of oral bacteria and ensure a more reliable sputum sample for testing. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 6. 

    A sputum specimen may be canceled if there are too many oral bacteria present.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    A sputum specimen may be canceled if there are too many oral bacteria present. This is because oral bacteria can contaminate the sputum sample, making it difficult to accurately diagnose any respiratory infections or diseases. Therefore, if there are too many oral bacteria present in the specimen, it may be deemed unusable and the test may need to be canceled or repeated.

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  • 7. 

    When transporting a liquid specimen like sputum for culture, the specimen should be placed in a biohazard transport bag in the exact same compartment of the bag as the paperwork.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    When transporting a liquid specimen like sputum for culture, the specimen should not be placed in the exact same compartment of the bag as the paperwork. This is because the specimen may leak or spill during transportation, potentially contaminating the paperwork and making it unreadable. Therefore, it is important to separate the specimen from the paperwork by placing it in a separate compartment or using a separate bag to ensure the safety and integrity of both the specimen and the paperwork.

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  • 8. 

    Stool specimen in PVA and formalin can be used for C&S.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Stool specimens in PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and formalin are not suitable for culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing. PVA is used for preserving parasites and formalin is used for preserving tissues, but they are not appropriate for bacterial culture. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 9. 

    Enterobius vermicularis can be collected by the use of 

    • A microscope slide, tongue depressor and cellophane tape system only

    • Perianal pabble swab

    • Both

    • None

    Correct Answer
    A. Both
    Explanation
    The correct answer is both. Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm, can be collected using both the microscope slide, tongue depressor, and cellophane tape system, as well as the perianal swab method. The tape system is commonly used to collect pinworm eggs by pressing it against the perianal area to pick up any eggs present. The perianal swab method involves swabbing the area around the anus to collect any pinworm eggs or adult worms. Both methods are effective in collecting Enterobius vermicularis for examination and diagnosis.

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  • 10. 

    Criteria for urine for C&S. Choose all that apply.

    • Sterile cup

    • Midstream clean catch collection

    • Bleaching the urethra collection

    • Aseptic collection technique

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Sterile cup
    A. Midstream clean catch collection
    A. Aseptic collection technique
    Explanation
    The criteria for urine for C&S testing include using a sterile cup to collect the urine sample, performing a midstream clean catch collection technique to minimize contamination, and using an aseptic collection technique to ensure a sterile sample. These criteria are important to prevent the introduction of bacteria or other contaminants into the urine sample, which could affect the accuracy of the culture and sensitivity testing.

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  • 11. 

    Stool specimens can be collected from an infant's diaper.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Stool specimens can indeed be collected from an infant's diaper. Since infants are not yet potty trained, using a diaper is the most practical way to collect a stool sample. A special collection pad or small bag can be used inside the diaper to catch the stool. After collection, the sample is transferred to a sterile container for analysis. It's important to ensure the sample is not contaminated during collection to ensure accurate results. This method is both convenient and effective for collecting stool specimens from infants.

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  • 12. 

    What can be discovered in an O&P stool test?

    • Protozoan cysts

    • Protozoan trophozoites

    • Helminthes ova (eggs)

    • Larvae or immature forms of helminthes

    • Chicken egg

    • Arthropod mother

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Protozoan cysts
    A. Protozoan trophozoites
    A. Helminthes ova (eggs)
    A. Larvae or immature forms of helminthes
    Explanation
    An O&P stool test is a laboratory test that is used to detect the presence of parasites in the digestive tract. The test can identify various forms of parasites, including protozoan cysts and trophozoites, helminthes ova (eggs), and larvae or immature forms of helminthes. These findings can help diagnose parasitic infections in individuals and guide appropriate treatment. The presence of a chicken egg and arthropod mother in the test would not be expected findings and may suggest contamination or other issues with the test.

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  • 13. 

    Please choose all methods used to identify bacteria.

    • Microscopic appearance

    • Dancing technique on plate

    • Colonial morphology

    • Selective or indicating media

    • Gram and other stains

    • Biochemical reactions

    • GENE PROBES

    • ANTIBODY REACTIONS

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Microscopic appearance
    A. Colonial morphology
    A. Selective or indicating media
    A. Gram and other stains
    A. Biochemical reactions
    A. GENE PROBES
    A. ANTIBODY REACTIONS
    Explanation
    The methods used to identify bacteria include microscopic appearance, colonial morphology, selective or indicating media, gram and other stains, biochemical reactions, gene probes, and antibody reactions. These methods allow scientists to observe the physical characteristics of the bacteria, such as their size and shape under a microscope, as well as their appearance on agar plates. Selective or indicating media helps to isolate specific types of bacteria, while gram and other stains provide information about the cell wall composition. Biochemical reactions can be used to determine the metabolic capabilities of the bacteria. Gene probes and antibody reactions involve the use of specific genetic markers or antibodies to identify the presence of certain bacteria.

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  • 14. 

    Choose all preservatives that can be used to preserve stool for parasite examination.

    • 10% formalin

    • PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)

    • Cary Blair

    • C&S

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. 10% formalin
    A. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)
    Explanation
    10% formalin and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) are both commonly used preservatives for preserving stool samples for parasite examination. 10% formalin is a solution of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water, which helps to fix and preserve the stool sample by preventing decomposition and killing any parasites present. PVA is a synthetic polymer that forms a stable gel when mixed with water, which helps to preserve the stool sample by preventing dehydration and maintaining the structure of any parasites present. Cary Blair and C&S are not commonly used preservatives for stool samples in the context of parasite examination.

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  • 15. 

    Choose all pathogenic organisms that are usually detected in a stool specimen.

    • Salmonella

    • Shigella

    • Escherichia coli O157:H7

    • Clostridium difficile

    • Campylobacter

    • Plasmodium

    • HCG

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Salmonella
    A. Shigella
    A. Escherichia coli O157:H7
    A. Clostridium difficile
    A. Campylobacter
    A. Plasmodium
    Explanation
    The correct answer includes Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter, and Plasmodium. These organisms are commonly detected in stool specimens and are known to cause various gastrointestinal infections. Salmonella and Shigella are bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a strain of E. coli that produces toxins and can cause bloody diarrhea. Clostridium difficile is a bacteria that can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Campylobacter is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. Plasmodium is a parasite that causes malaria. HCG is not a pathogenic organism and is not usually detected in stool specimens.

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Lindsey Block |PhD (Cellular & Molecular Biology) |
Lecturer | Molecular Biologist | Reproductive Scientist
Lindsey, Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializes in Zika's impact on conception and preterm birth biomarkers. She completed courese on Advanced Cell Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Advanced Virology at University College Cork. Lindsey's accolades include three first-author papers, three fellowships, and active participation in five conference presentations. Currently associated with the University of Pennsylvania through a T32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, she continues to contribute significantly to her field, combining academic rigor with practical research to advance understanding in reproductive health and prenatal care. Currently, she is a full time lecturer at Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine.

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  • Mar 18, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
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    Expert Reviewed by
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  • Jan 25, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    Lola Agbetunsin
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