MCQs on Microbiology | Microbiology Quiz

Master microbiology with our comprehensive MCQs on Microbiology | Microbiology Quiz covering bacteriology, virology, mycology, and immunology! Access free chapterwise PDF downloads packed with exam-style questions on sterilization techniques, pathogenic bacteria (like E. coli, Mycobacterium), and antimicrobial resistance.

Perfect for NEET, AIIMS, nursing entrance, and university exams, these resources include detailed answer keys with NCERT-aligned explanations. Test your knowledge instantly with online microbiology quizzes featuring real-time scoring or download printable test sheets for classroom use. Explore our Microbiology MCQ book PDF and Start your microbial mastery today!

What is Microbiology?

• Microbiology is generally defined as the study of life activities called microorganisms that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
• These microscopic organisms include viruses that cannot live independently without cell structures, subviral agents (satellite viruses, satellite RNAs, epiviruses), bacteria with prokaryotic cell structures, archaea, and fungi with eukaryotic cell structures (yeast, molds), etc.), unicellular algae, protozoa, etc.
• Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek is a Dutch microbiologist and a pioneer of microbiology. He first discovered bacteria with a self-made microscope.
• There are various branches of microbiology such as Bacteriology, Immunology, Mycology, Industrial microbiology, etc.
• Microbiology focuses on the structure, function, and classification of these organisms and looks for ways to exploit and control their activities.
• Microbiology is applied in everyday life; in food production, biodegradation, phytoremediation, commercial-product production, biotechnology, and genetic engineering.
• There are various dishes in which microorganisms are needed. For example, for the making of curd and cheese, microorganisms are needed.

MCQs on Microbiology | Microbiology Quiz

1. Wet mount slide preparations are used in microbiology as they allow us to see
a) Size and shape of individual organisms
b) Characteristic arrangement or grouping of cells
c) Motility of the organism
d) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: Wet mounts allow observation of live microorganisms’ shape, grouping, and motility.

Read: MCQ on Strain Improvement

2. The sterilizing agent is
a) Ethylene oxide
b) Oxygen
c) Nitrogen
d) Carbon tetrachloride
Answer: A
Explanation: Ethylene oxide gas is used for sterilizing heat-sensitive materials.

3. Who is commonly known as “the Father of Microbiology”?
a) Robert Hooke
b) Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek
c) Carl Linnaeus
d) Charles Darwin
Answer: B
Explanation: Van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe microorganisms using a microscope.

4. Which of the following are produced by microorganisms?
a) Alcoholic beverages
b) Fermented dairy products
c) Bread
d) All of the mentioned
Answer: D
Explanation: Microorganisms like yeast and bacteria are used in all these food processes.

5. Industrial microbiology mainly depends on the phenomenon
a) Pasteurisation
b) Fermentation
c) Vaccination
d) Both b and c
Answer: B
Explanation: Industrial microbiology relies primarily on microbial fermentation processes.

6. What is Microbiology?
a) Study of molecules that are visible to human eyes
b) Study of animals and their family
c) Study of organisms that are not visible to the naked eyes
d) Study of microscope
Answer: C
Explanation: Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

7. The structural and functional level of the organization of living matter, at which the processes and phenomena occurring in the cell are studied, are called
a) cellular
b) Organ
c) tissue
d) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Cellular level is the fundamental unit of life where life processes occur.

8. The source of energy released during glycolysis is
a) Protein
b) Glucose
c) ATP
d) Fat
Answer: C
Explanation: Glycolysis breaks down glucose and forms ATP, the energy currency.

9. The highest level of organization of life is
a) biosphere
b) biogeocenotic
c) molecular
d) cellular
Answer: A
Explanation: The biosphere includes all ecosystems and represents the highest level of organization.

10. Which of these bacterial components is least likely to contain useful antigens?
a) Cell wall
b) Flagella
c) Ribosomes
d) Capsule
Answer: C
Explanation: Ribosomes are not typically exposed to the immune system and hence are poor antigens.

11. Which lamp is used for bacteria-filling purposes?
a) Low-pressure mercury lamps
b) fluorescent lamp
c) Both
d) None of these
Answer: C
Explanation: Both lamps emit UV light effective in reducing bacterial contamination.

12. Which bacteria is used in producing alcohol?
a) Clostridium acetobutylicum
b) Klebsiella pneumonia
c) Zymomonas mobilis
d) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: All listed bacteria are capable of fermentative alcohol production under certain conditions.

13. What is a Decolorizer in microbiology?
a) Ethanol
b) Salt
c) Methylene blue
d) crystal violet
Answer: A
Explanation: Ethanol is used as a decolorizer in Gram staining to remove primary stain from Gram-negative cells.

14. Which type of bacteria is round?
a) coccus
b) spiral
c) Rod
d) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Cocci are spherical or round bacteria.

15. What is the bacteria size range?
a) About 1 µm to 5 µms
b) About 1m to 5 mm
c) 8cm
d) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Most bacteria range between 1–5 micrometers in size.

16. Viruses are classified as precellular organisms because they
a) do not contain a nucleus
b) Not able to self-metabolize
c) are parasites
d) unable to reproduce
Answer: B
Explanation: Viruses cannot metabolize on their own and need host cells.

17. A common property for all levels of life organization is
a) the complexity of the system structure
b) the manifestation of patterns operating at each level of the organization
c) the homogeneity of the elements that make up the system
d) the similarity of qualities that different systems possess
Answer: B
Explanation: Biological patterns repeat across levels, from cells to ecosystems.

18. The main biogenic elements are
a) potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine
b) carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen
c) calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur
d) zinc, silver, sodium, copper
Answer: B
Explanation: C, N, H, and O are the key elements forming most biomolecules.

19. The main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is the lack of
a) Ribosome
b) DNA
c) Cellular structure
d) True Nucleus
Answer: D
Explanation: Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus.

20. The function of storing genetic information in a eukaryotic cell is performed by
a) cell cytoplasm
b) Nuclear chromosomes
c) Nucleoid
d) Nucleolus
Answer: B
Explanation: Chromosomes within the nucleus carry genetic information.

21. A prokaryotic cell has
a) Nucleoid with DNA
b) Real core
c) Golgi apparatus
d) Homologous chromosome
Answer: A
Explanation: Prokaryotic DNA is located in a nucleoid region, not a nucleus.

22. The energy of the complete oxidation of glucose goes to
a) ATP synthesis and then used by the body
b) Synthesis of proteins, and then the synthesis of ATP
c) The formation of oxygen
d) Synthesis of carbohydrates
Answer: A
Explanation: Oxidation of glucose yields ATP which powers cellular functions.

23. Protein synthesis and chromosome duplication occur in
a) Prophase
b) Metaphase
c) Interphase
d) Anaphase
Answer: C
Explanation: Interphase is the cell cycle phase for DNA replication and protein synthesis.

24. The longest phase in the life cycle of a cell is
a) Prophase
b) Metaphase
c) Anaphase
d) Interphase
Answer: D
Explanation: Cells spend most of their time in interphase growing and preparing for division.

25. Direct cell division is
a) Amitosis
b) Mitosis
c) Meiosis
d) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Amitosis is a simple division without spindle formation.

26. The biological significance of mitosis
a) Strictly uniform distribution of chromosomes between the nuclei of two daughter cells
b) Halving the number of chromosomes
c) Both
d) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Mitosis ensures equal genetic material in daughter cells.

27. In modern taxonomy, to classify an organism into one or another systematic category, one examines
a) Signs of relationship and morphophysiological similarity
b) Signs of external similarity of organisms
c) Organizational level only
d) Only genetic analysis
Answer: A
Explanation: Both morphology and physiology help determine taxonomic classification.

28. Mushrooms are close to some plants
a) reproduction by spores
b) Autotrophic mode of nutrition
c) Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
d) The presence of conductive vessels
Answer: A
Explanation: Like plants, fungi reproduce via spores, but differ in nutrition.

29. The common property of all animals is
a) Multicellularity
b) The ability to autotrophic nutrition
c) Eukaryotic structure of cells
d) The presence of the nervous system
Answer: C
Explanation: All animals are made of eukaryotic cells.

30. Variation is a property of organisms that provides
a) Similarities between parents and offspring
b) Differences between individuals within a species
c) Interspecific similarity of organisms
d) Changing organisms during life
Answer: B
Explanation: Variation causes differences among individuals of the same species.

31. Specify the provisions of the Darwinian theory of evolution
a) The smallest difference between organisms can make a difference in their survival.
b) In nature, the most adapted individuals often survive and leave offspring.
c) The evolutionary process is divided into micro-and macroevolution
d) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: All listed statements are fundamental principles of Darwin’s theory.

FAQs on MCQs on Microbiology

1. Where can I download free Microbiology MCQs with answers PDF?
Answer: Visit our “Free Resources” section and select your topic (e.g., “Bacterial Morphology” or “Medical Virology”). Click the download button for instant access to 50-100 MCQs per PDF with diagrams and explanations. No registration required.

2. Which topics are covered in the microbiology quizzes?
Answer: Our quizzes cover:

• Bacteriology: Gram staining, bacterial growth curves
• Virology: Viral replication, COVID-19
• Immunology: Antibodies, vaccines
• Industrial Microbiology: Fermentation, bioreactors
  Includes NCERT Class 11-12 topics and NEET-specific content.

3. How do online microbiology MCQ tests help exam prep?
Online tests simulate exams with timer-based quizzes (e.g., 30 MCQs in 20 minutes). Instant results show accuracy per topic (e.g., “Weak in Mycology: 40%”) with answer explanations. Ideal for NEET PG revision.

4. What’s included in the Microbiology MCQ PPT slides?
Answer: Ready-to-teach PowerPoint slides contain:

• 15-20 MCQs per topic with click-reveal answers
• Microscopy images and diagrams
• Summary tables (e.g., “Antibiotic Classes”)
• Editable formats for teachers

5. Which book is best for microbiology MCQs for competitive exams?
Answer: “CBS Microbiology MCQs for Medical Students” (Dr. K. Rajmohan) offers 2,000+ NEET/AIIMS questions. Download our free book supplement PDF with updated questions on emerging pathogens.

6. Are there MCQs on antibiotic resistance mechanisms?
Answer: Yes! Our “Antimicrobial Resistance PDF” covers:

• Beta-lactamase production
• Efflux pumps
• MRSA/VRE case studies
• 25+ scenario-based MCQs with flowcharts

7. Can I get MCQs on Indian-relevant diseases?
Answer: Our “Tropical Microbiology PDF” includes:

• TB diagnosis (acid-fast staining)
• Dengue serotyping
• Cholera outbreak management
• 30+ questions mapped to ICMR guidelines