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Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Microorganisms (Questions)

This Science quiz is called 'Microorganisms' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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Microorganisms are tiny life forms, so small that we need a microscope to see them. There are many types: bacteria, viruses and some kinds of fungi. Did you know that if you could weigh all the microorganisms on the Earth, they would weigh more than all other species combined? Microorganisms are found in every environment on the planet - even in the stomachs of cows and your own intestines!

What can we use to kill bacteria? Are viruses alive? How do fungi help us to make bread? Try this quiz to see what you know about these tiny living organisms.

1. In order to see a microbe (a single microorganism), what would you need to use?
[ ] A telescope
[ ] A magnifying glass
[ ] A microscope
[ ] A pair of glasses
2. Which of the following are not microorganisms?
[ ] Yeast
[ ] Mould
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Ants
3. Which of the following statements is true?
[ ] Microbes are not living organisms
[ ] Some microorganisms are beneficial
[ ] All microorganisms are dangerous to humans
[ ] There are not very many types of microorganism
4. Penicillin, yeast and mold are examples of what?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Algae
5. Salmonella, E. Coli and Listeria: these causes of food poisoning are examples of what?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Amoebas
6. Colds, influenza (flu) and chickenpox are caused by what?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Amoebas
7. Which doctor developed a vaccination for smallpox?
[ ] Alexander Fleming
[ ] Marie Curie
[ ] Louis Pasteur
[ ] Edward Jenner
8. What are antibiotics designed to fight?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] All microorganisms
9. Compost bins are full of rotting organic matter, such as vegetable peelings, moldy fruit and grass clippings. Which microorganisms help this material to decompose (rot)?
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Algae
[ ] All of the above
10. Many foods acquire their flavor or texture from the action of microorganisms. For which of the following foods is this not true?
[ ] Live yogurt
[ ] Wine
[ ] Jelly
[ ] Bread
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Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Microorganisms (Answers)
1. In order to see a microbe (a single microorganism), what would you need to use?
[ ] A telescope
[ ] A magnifying glass
[x] A microscope
[ ] A pair of glasses
You can see colonies of microorganisms with the naked eye, but you would not be able to see a single microbe without a microscope
2. Which of the following are not microorganisms?
[ ] Yeast
[ ] Mould
[ ] Bacteria
[x] Ants
Ants are insects
3. Which of the following statements is true?
[ ] Microbes are not living organisms
[x] Some microorganisms are beneficial
[ ] All microorganisms are dangerous to humans
[ ] There are not very many types of microorganism
Some microorganisms are so beneficial that life would not be possible without them. The bacteria living on the roots of plants allow the plants to get the nitrogen they need from the soil - and remember, all life on Earth is dependent on plants
4. Penicillin, yeast and mold are examples of what?
[x] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Algae
Fungi include single-celled microbes such as yeasts and molds (including penicillium, which provides us with penicillin) as well as multicellular organisms such as mushrooms, which are not microorganisms
5. Salmonella, E. Coli and Listeria: these causes of food poisoning are examples of what?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[x] Bacteria
[ ] Amoebas
Not all bacteria are bad - our bodies use some kinds to help us digest food
6. Colds, influenza (flu) and chickenpox are caused by what?
[ ] Fungi
[x] Viruses
[ ] Bacteria
[ ] Amoebas
Scientists are not agreed on whether viruses are even alive. Remember MRS. NERG? Viruses don't demonstrate all seven life processes. Viruses aren't sensitive (they don't respond to their environment) and they don't reproduce on their own (they take over another species' cells, causing them to reproduce viruses)
7. Which doctor developed a vaccination for smallpox?
[ ] Alexander Fleming
[ ] Marie Curie
[ ] Louis Pasteur
[x] Edward Jenner
It's been said that Jenner's work has saved more lives than that of anyone else
8. What are antibiotics designed to fight?
[ ] Fungi
[ ] Viruses
[x] Bacteria
[ ] All microorganisms
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses - this is why doctors do not prescribe them for colds (which are caused by viruses)
9. Compost bins are full of rotting organic matter, such as vegetable peelings, moldy fruit and grass clippings. Which microorganisms help this material to decompose (rot)?
[x] Bacteria
[ ] Viruses
[ ] Algae
[ ] All of the above
Fungi also help with decomposition
10. Many foods acquire their flavor or texture from the action of microorganisms. For which of the following foods is this not true?
[ ] Live yogurt
[ ] Wine
[x] Jelly
[ ] Bread
Bread and wine both use yeast which is a fungi. Yogurt uses bacteria