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Worksheets

Microorganisms

Total questions: 23

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Some bacteria can be beneficial because they produce _____. 
a)
water
b)
energy
c)
fruit
d)
cheese
2.
Describe the important function that  microorganisms have in an ecosystem. 
a)
They produce food from sunlight.
b)
They help to clean the air.
c)
They reduce the number of large animals.
d)
They decompose dead organisms.
3.
How can mold be helpful? 
a)
It can be used to make medicine.
b)
It grows on bread and other food.
c)
It is a kind of fungus.
d)
It helps dead plants decay. 
4.

Which statement is NOT true?

a)

Microorganisms help dead things decay.

b)

Microorganisms only live in soil.

c)

Microorganisms cause disease.

d)

Microorganisms are used to make cheese.

5.
Which of these microorganisms is considered harmful? 
a)
Bacteria in yogurt
b)
Fungus in antibiotics
c)
Yeast in bread
d)
Mold on fruit
6.
Which of the following is a benefit of microorganisms? 
a)
They are used to make medicine.
b)
They do not multiply.
c)
They feed on living things.
d)
They remove minerals from the soil.
7.
One benefit of bacteria is that they can be used to _____. 
a)
Keep our clothes from wearing out.
b)
Produce plastic from petroleum.
c)
Produce certain kinds of foods.
d)
Strengthen some wood products.
8.

How can you protect yourself from harmful bacteria?

a)

Keep food in the refrigerator.

b)

Wash your hands often.

c)

Make sure foods are thoroughly cooked.

d)

All the answer choices.

9.
Which single-celled microorganism is helpful in making foods like yogurt and pickles?
a)
Bacteria
b)
Fungus
c)
Virus
d)
Parasite
10.

Identify which statement is false.

a)

Microorganisms cure diseases.

b)

Microorganisms are rare.

c)

Some microorganisms are eaten.

d)

Microorganisms cause diseases.

11.

Which of these produces most of the oxygen on Earth?

a)

Amoebas

b)

Algae

c)

Bacteria

d)

Multi-celled plants

12.

How does bacteria help our bodies function?

a)

They make our skin flexible and clean.

b)

They help to digest food in the intestines.

c)

They circulate in our blood and help carry oxygen.

d)

They make our muscles and lungs stronger.

13.

Which observation supports the claim that microorganisms are helpful to ecosystems?

a)

Microorganisms are too small to be seen without special equipment.

b)

Like all living things, microorganisms need water and energy.

c)

Millions of microorganisms can often be found in soil.

d)

Microorganisms break down dead plants and animals, making nutrients available.

14.

Some microorganisms are harmful when they enter other living things and cause the living things to __________.

a)

get sick

b)

grow quickly

c)

reproduce

d)

produce energy

15.

Which of the following is based on people’s understanding of microorganisms?

a)

Walking downhill instead of running.

b)

Washing your hands before eating.

c)

Looking both ways before crossing the street.

d)

Wearing light weight clothes during the summer.

16.

When we forget to wash our hands, or don't wash them properly, we are doing which of the following?

a)

Not washing our hands will not spread disease or germs to other people.

b)

Spreading beneficial microbes to other people, or giving them to ourselves by touching our eyes, mouths, noses or cuts on our bodies.

c)

Spreading both beneficial and harmful microbes

to other people.

d)

Spreading harmful microbes to other people, or giving them to ourselves by touching our eyes, mouths, noses or cuts on our bodies.

17.

Organisms that live in the intestines of humans are helpful when they __________.

a)

block nutrients that humans need

b)

help break down food for humans to use

c)

secret chemicals that cause disease

d)

help minimize wrinkles

18.

Although there are thousands of kinds of microorganisms in the environment, would it be good for your health to kill all of the bacteria in your body?

a)

No. The harmful bacteria in your body are important for stimulating the immune system.

b)

Yes. Getting rid of all bacteria in the body would prevent most diseases. This is why doctors use antibiotics.

c)

Yes. Most bacteria in your body are harmful. Killing all of the bacteria would get rid of these bacteria.

d)

No. Many bacteria in your body are beneficial. These beneficial bacteria help your body perform physiological functions, such as digestion.

19.

One benefit of bacteria is that they can be used to _____.

a)

Keep our clothes from wearing out.

b)

Produce plastic from petroleum.

c)

Produce certain kinds of foods.

d)

Strengthen some wood products.

20.

Identify one of the following that can be caused by a microorganism.

a)

Tooth decay

b)

Broken finger

c)

Sprained wrist

d)

Paper cut

21.

Which of the following observations would provide the best evidence that microorganisms are beneficial to the ecosystem of a pond?

a)

The number of microorganisms that live in a pond habitat changes over time.

b)

Microorganisms live on the roots of some plants or inside the gut of some animals.

c)

Microorganisms are found in many kinds of pond habitats with different temperatures and levels of rainfall.

d)

More plants and animals live and thrive in a pond with a higher concentration of microorganisms.

22.

Which of the following BEST describes organisms?

a)

Any non-living thing.

b)

Algae found in rapidly moving rivers.

c)

Algae polluting ponds.

d)

Any living thing.

23.

Which of the following is the largest group of microorganisms?

a)

Protozoan

b)

Algae

c)

Bacteria

d)

Fungi