Science: Microorganisms: Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi Worksheet

Question 1

Explain one main difference between bacteria and viruses.

Accepted Answer

One main difference is that bacteria are living single-celled organisms, while viruses are not considered living cells and must use a host cell to reproduce.

Question 2

A student says that all microorganisms are harmful. Is this correct? Explain your answer using an example.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not correct because many microorganisms are helpful. For example, some bacteria in the human gut help digest food and support health.

Question 3

Name one way fungi are different from bacteria.

Accepted Answer

One way fungi are different from bacteria is that fungi can be multicellular, such as molds and mushrooms, while bacteria are single-celled organisms.

Question 4

Why are antibiotics used to treat some bacterial infections but not viral infections?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections because they target structures or processes in bacteria. They do not work on viral infections because viruses reproduce inside host cells and do not have the same cell structures as bacteria.

Question 5

A loaf of bread grows fuzzy green mold after being left out for several days. Is the mold a bacterium, a virus, or a fungus? Explain how you know.

Accepted Answer

The mold is a fungus. Mold is a type of fungus that grows on food and often appears fuzzy or powdery.

Question 6

Describe how a virus reproduces.

Accepted Answer

A virus reproduces by entering a host cell and using the cell's machinery to make more copies of itself. It cannot reproduce independently.

Question 7

Give one example of a useful role of fungi in nature or human life.

Accepted Answer

One useful role of fungi is that they decompose dead material and recycle nutrients back into the environment. Some fungi are also used to make foods such as bread and cheese.

Question 8

What is one structure that bacteria have which viruses do not?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria have a cell membrane and cytoplasm, while viruses do not have full cell structures like living cells do.

Question 9

Why is washing your hands an effective way to reduce the spread of many microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Washing your hands helps remove microorganisms from your skin before they can enter your body or spread to other people and surfaces.

Question 10

Compare bacteria and fungi by naming one similarity and one difference.

Accepted Answer

One similarity is that both bacteria and fungi are microorganisms. One difference is that bacteria are single-celled, while fungi can be single-celled or multicellular.

Question 11

A doctor says a patient has athlete's foot. Which group of microorganisms causes this condition: bacteria, viruses, or fungi?

Accepted Answer

Athlete's foot is caused by fungi. It is a fungal infection that grows well in warm, moist environments.

Question 12

Explain why scientists often use microscopes to study bacteria, viruses, and many fungi.

Accepted Answer

Scientists often use microscopes because bacteria, viruses, and many fungi are too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye. Microscopes help scientists observe their size, shape, and structures.

Science: Microorganisms: Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

Science: Microorganisms: Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

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