Microbes worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Analysis:

The task involves matching diseases to the correct type of microbe (Bacteria, Virus, Fungi) and answering questions about microbes based on their characteristics. Let's break it down step by step.

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Part 1: Match the disease to the correct microbe

We need to categorize each disease under Bacteria, Virus, or Fungi. Here are the matches:

#### Diseases Caused by Bacteria:
- 4. CHOLERA: Caused by the bacterium *Vibrio cholerae*.
- 5. TUBERCULOSIS: Caused by the bacterium *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*.
- 7. SYPHILIS: Caused by the bacterium *Treponema pallidum*.
- 8. GONORRHOEA: Caused by the bacterium *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*.

#### Diseases Caused by Viruses:
- 1. CHICKEN POX: Caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
- 3. AIDS: Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- 6. COMMON COLD/FLU: Caused by various viruses, such as rhinoviruses (cold) and influenza viruses (flu).
- 9. HERPES: Caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2).

#### Diseases Caused by Fungi:
- 2. RING WORM: Caused by fungi, such as *Trichophyton* species.
- 10. ATHLETE'S FOOT: Caused by fungi, such as *Trichophyton* and *Epidermophyton* species.
- 11. YEAST INFECTION: Caused by fungi, such as *Candida albicans*.

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Completed Table:

| Bacteria | Virus | Fungi |
|-----------------------|-------------------------|------------------------|
| 4. CHOLERA | 1. CHICKEN POX | 2. RING WORM |
| 5. TUBERCULOSIS | 3. AIDS | 10. ATHLETE'S FOOT |
| 7. SYPHILIS | 6. COMMON COLD/FLU | 11. YEAST INFECTION |
| 8. GONORRHOEA | 9. HERPES | |

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Part 2: Choose the microbe which is described in each statement

We need to identify the type of microbe (Bacteria, Virus, Fungi) that fits each description.

1. This microbe can be found in the intestines.
- Answer: Bacteria
- Explanation: Many bacteria reside in the human gut, such as *Escherichia coli* and beneficial probiotic bacteria.

2. This microbe has a cell wall.
- Answer: Bacteria
- Explanation: Bacteria have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, while viruses do not have cells and fungi have different types of cell walls.

3. Reproduces inside other organisms.
- Answer: Virus
- Explanation: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and reproduce by infecting host cells.

4. Most of these microbes cause disease.
- Answer: Bacteria
- Explanation: While many bacteria are harmless or beneficial, a significant number cause diseases (e.g., cholera, tuberculosis).

5. Used in baking.
- Answer: Fungi
- Explanation: Yeast (*Saccharomyces cerevisiae*) is used in baking to ferment sugars and produce carbon dioxide.

6. Has a nucleus.
- Answer: Fungi
- Explanation: Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with a true nucleus, unlike bacteria (prokaryotes) and viruses (which lack cellular structures).

7. Has a flagellum.
- Answer: Bacteria
- Explanation: Many bacteria use flagella for movement, whereas viruses and fungi do not have flagella.

8. Some types can be eaten as food.
- Answer: Fungi
- Explanation: Edible fungi include mushrooms like *Agaricus bisporus* and yeasts used in food production.

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Final Answers for Part 2:

1. Bacteria
2. Bacteria
3. Virus
4. Bacteria
5. Fungi
6. Fungi
7. Bacteria
8. Fungi

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{c|c|c}
\text{Bacteria} & \text{Virus} & \text{Fungi} \\
\hline
4. \text{CHOLERA} & 1. \text{CHICKEN POX} & 2. \text{RING WORM} \\
5. \text{TUBERCULOSIS} & 3. \text{AIDS} & 10. \text{ATHLETE'S FOOT} \\
7. \text{SYPHILIS} & 6. \text{COMMON COLD/FLU} & 11. \text{YEAST INFECTION} \\
8. \text{GONORRHOEA} & 9. \text{HERPES} & \\
\end{array}
}
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{Bacteria} \\
2. \text{Bacteria} \\
3. \text{Virus} \\
4. \text{Bacteria} \\
5. \text{Fungi} \\
6. \text{Fungi} \\
7. \text{Bacteria} \\
8. \text{Fungi} \\
\end{array}
}