A Microbiology Trivia Quiz

Approved & Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team

The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.

Learn about Our Editorial Process

| By Pidelsoleil

Pidelsoleil

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 3 | Total Attempts: 6,373

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 5,787 | Updated: May 23, 2023

Questions

Settings

Feedback

During the Quiz End of Quiz

Difficulty

Sequential Easy First Hard First

Play as

Quiz Flashcard

Create your own Quiz

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Share on Pinterest Share on Email Copy to Clipboard Embed on your website

Do you want to expand your knowledge of microbiology? Would you like to try a microbiology trivia quiz that we have prepared for you? Do you know what microbiology is? In simple words, microbiology is known as the scientific study of microorganisms. These microorganisms are unicellular, multicellular, or acellular. With this quiz, you can test your knowledge as well as learn some trivia facts on microbiology. So, try this and share it with your friends too.

Questions and Answers

1.

Every affirmation is true, except:
- A.
  
  Microbes help maintain a balance between living organisms and the environment.
- B.
  
  Microbes can be used commercially.
- C.
  
  Microbes are absent from animals' and humans' intestines.
- D.
  
  Only a small portion is pathogenic.
Correct Answer
C. Microbes are absent from animals' and humans' intestines.

Explanation
The given statement "Microbes are absent from animals' and humans' intestines" is incorrect. Microbes are actually present in the intestines of animals and humans, where they play a crucial role in digestion and overall gut health. These microbes help break down food, produce essential vitamins, and maintain a balance in the gut ecosystem. Therefore, this statement contradicts the fact that microbes are present in animals' and humans' intestines.

Rate this question:

2
0
2.

Prokaryotic cells are
- A.
  
  Single-celled microorganisms
- B.
  
  Double-celled microorganisms
- C.
  
  Triple-celled microorganisms
- D.
  
  None of these is true.
Correct Answer
A. Single-celled microorganisms

Explanation
Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms because they lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. These cells are simple in structure and are typically found in bacteria and archaea. They have a single circular DNA molecule and reproduce through binary fission. Prokaryotic cells are distinct from eukaryotic cells, which are found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists, and are typically multicellular or organized into complex structures.

Rate this question:

1
0
3.

Pasteur showed that microorganisms exist in the air and can contaminate sterile solutions and that air itself can create microbes.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
The statement is false. Pasteur actually showed that microorganisms do not spontaneously generate in sterile solutions, contradicting the prevailing belief of spontaneous generation at the time. He demonstrated that microorganisms can only enter sterile solutions from external sources, such as the air or contaminated objects. This experiment led to the development of the germ theory of disease and the importance of sterilization in medical practices.

Rate this question:

7
0
4.

What's the full form of EID?
- A.
  
  Emerging initial diagnosis
- B.
  
  Emerging infectious diseases
- C.
  
  Emerging infectious diagnosis
- D.
  
  Emergency infectious diseases
Correct Answer
B. Emerging infectious diseases

Explanation
The full form of EID is "Emerging Infectious Diseases." This term refers to diseases that have recently appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. These diseases often pose a public health threat due to their potential to cause epidemics or pandemics.

Rate this question:

1
0
5.

Hooke's discovery concerning life's smallest structural units marked the beginning of the cell theory.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Hooke's discovery concerning life's smallest structural units refers to his observation of cells in cork under a microscope. This discovery was significant because it led to the development of the cell theory, which states that all living organisms are composed of cells. Therefore, the statement that Hooke's discovery marked the beginning of the cell theory is true.

Rate this question:

2
0
6.

What are the main domains?
- A.
  
  Protists, bacteria, archaea, eukarya
- B.
  
  Protists, fungi, plants, bacteria
- C.
  
  Bacteria, eukarya, plants
- D.
  
  Bacteria, archaea, eukarya
Correct Answer
D. Bacteria, archaea, eukarya

Explanation
The answer is Bacteria, archaea, eukarya. These are the three main domains of life. Bacteria and archaea are both prokaryotes, which are single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus. Eukarya, on the other hand, includes all organisms with eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This classification system is based on the differences in cellular structure and organization.

Rate this question:

3
1
7.

Viruses can only be seen with an electron microscope.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Viruses are extremely small and can only be observed under an electron microscope due to their size. Light microscopes, which are commonly used in laboratories, cannot provide the necessary magnification to visualize viruses. Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons instead of light, allowing for much higher magnification and resolution. This enables scientists to study the structure and characteristics of viruses in detail, leading to a better understanding of their behavior and potential treatments. Therefore, the statement "Viruses can only be seen with an electron microscope" is true.

Rate this question:
8.

Which of these is a type of bacteria?
- A.
  
  Cyanobacteria
- B.
  
  Salmonella
- C.
  
  Bacillus
- D.
  
  All of these
Correct Answer
D. All of these

Explanation
All of the options listed (Cyanobacteria, Salmonella, and Bacillus) are types of bacteria. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria commonly found in aquatic environments. Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that can cause food poisoning and other illnesses in humans and animals. Bacillus is a genus of bacteria that includes both harmful and beneficial species, some of which are used in biotechnology and agriculture. Therefore, all of the options are types of bacteria.

Rate this question:

2
0
9.

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of penicillin, a groundbreaking antibiotic that revolutionized medicine. In 1928, Fleming accidentally left a petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria uncovered, and noticed that a mold called Penicillium notatum had contaminated the dish. He observed that the bacteria near the mold had been killed, leading to the realization that the mold produced a substance with antibacterial properties. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of penicillin as a potent antibiotic, saving countless lives and shaping the field of modern medicine. Therefore, the statement "Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin" is true.

Rate this question:
10.

Around what percent of microbes are bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract?
- A.
  
  40 percent
- B.
  
  60 percent
- C.
  
  90 percent
- D.
  
  99 percent
Correct Answer
C. 90 percent

Explanation
The gastrointestinal tract is known to harbor a large number of microbes, including bacteria. Research has shown that approximately 90 percent of the microbes present in the gastrointestinal tract are bacteria. This high percentage highlights the significant role that bacteria play in the gut, influencing various aspects of human health, such as digestion and immune function.

Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

Current Version
May 23, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Sep 20, 2014

Quiz Created by
Pidelsoleil

A Microbiology Trivia Quiz

Every affirmation is true, except:

Prokaryotic cells are

Pasteur showed that microorganisms exist in the air and can contaminate sterile solutions and that air itself can create microbes.

What's the full form of EID?

Hooke's discovery concerning life's smallest structural units marked the beginning of the cell theory.

What are the main domains?

Viruses can only be seen with an electron microscope.

Which of these is a type of bacteria?

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.

Around what percent of microbes are bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract?