Class 8 Biology Worksheet: Microorganisms - Friend and Foe

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Microorganisms are extremely small and can generally be observed with the help of a: a)
Telescope b) Microscope c) Periscope d) Kaleidoscope

Q2. Which of the following is an exception in the fungi category as it is unicellular? a) Bread
mould (Rhizopus) b) Penicillium c) Yeast d) Mushroom

Q3. The process of converting sugar into alcohol in the absence of oxygen is known as: a)
Pasteurization b) Fermentation c) Nitrogen fixation d) Respiration

Q4. Malaria is a disease caused by a: a) Virus b) Bacteria c) Protozoa (Plasmodium) d) Fungi

Q5. Which bacterium is responsible for the formation of curd from milk? a) Rhizobium b)
Lactobacillus c) Bacillus anthracis d) Salmonella

Q6. Who discovered the first antibiotic, Penicillin? a) Louis Pasteur b) Edward Jenner c)
Alexander Fleming d) Robert Koch

Q7. The carrier of the dengue virus is the: a) Female Anopheles mosquito b) Female Aedes
mosquito c) Culex mosquito d) Housefly

Q8. During the baking process, yeast reproduces and releases which gas that makes the dough
rise? a) Oxygen b) Nitrogen c) Carbon dioxide d) Hydrogen

Q9. Citrus canker is a plant disease caused by: a) Fungi b) Virus c) Bacteria d) Protozoa

Q10. The process of pasteurization of milk involves heating it to approximately: a) 100°C for 10
minutes b) 70°C for 15-30 seconds c) 50°C for 1 hour d) 30°C for 5 minutes

Section B: Fill in the Blanks

Q11. Disease-causing microorganisms are commonly referred to as ________.

Q12. ________ is a process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for
leguminous plants.
Q13. Viruses are considered unique because they are neither completely living nor ________.

Q14. The first vaccine ever discovered was created by Edward Jenner for the disease ________.

Q15. The disease "Rust of wheat" is caused by a ________ and can spread through the air or
seeds.

Q16. Leguminous plants (like gram and beans) have root ________ where nitrogen-fixing
bacteria reside.

Q17. The "Two drops of life" (Do Boond Zindagi Ki) campaign is associated with the Oral
________ Vaccine.

Q18. Antibiotics are highly effective against bacteria but are not effective against diseases like the
common cold, which are caused by ________.

Q19. Adding excess sugar helps preserve jams and jellies by reducing the ________ content,
which prevents the growth of microbes.

Q20. Blue-green algae, also known as ________, are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen to
increase soil fertility.

Section C: True or False

Q21. All microorganisms are harmful to human beings and only cause diseases.

Q22. Algae like Chlamydomonas and Spirogyra can make their own food through photosynthesis.

Q23. Vaccines contain fully active and strong disease-causing microbes.

Q24. Anthrax is a serious disease that affects both humans and cattle.

Q25. Amoeba and Paramecium are both examples of unicellular protozoans.

Q26. The Female Anopheles mosquito acts as a vector/carrier for the malaria parasite.

Q27. Non-communicable diseases can easily spread from an infected person to a healthy person
through the air.
Q28. Oil and vinegar are used to preserve pickles because microbes cannot survive and grow in
such an environment.

Q29. Foot and mouth disease in animals is caused by a bacterium.

Q30. Organic waste (like fallen leaves and vegetable peels) is broken down by microorganisms
into useful manure.

Section D: Very Short Answer Questions

Q31. Name the nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in the root nodules of leguminous plants.

Q32. What term is used for the "give and take" relationship where both organisms benefit from
each other (e.g., a plant giving shelter and Rhizobium giving fixed nitrogen)?

Q33. Name the scientist who discovered the process of fermentation.

Q34. Which microorganism is heavily utilized in the commercial production of alcohol and wine?

Q35. Name a viral disease that specifically affects the veins of the bhindi (okra) plant, turning
them yellow.

Q36. What specific substances does our body produce to fight off invaders when a vaccine is
injected?

Q37. Name the scientist who first observed and described bacteria.

Q38. Which specific bacteria causes the dangerous disease Anthrax?

Q39. What type of respiration (aerobic or anaerobic) does yeast undergo during the fermentation
of sugar?

Q40. Name two human bacterial diseases that spread primarily through contaminated food and
water.

Section E: Short Answer Questions

Q42. The Viral Exception: Why are viruses considered "neither living nor non-living"? Explain
how they reproduce.

Q43. Baking Industry: Explain step-by-step how the addition of yeast makes bread or cake dough
rise and become fluffy.

Q44. Antibiotics: What are antibiotics? State two important precautions a person must follow
when taking a course of antibiotics.

Q45. Vaccines: Explain the mechanism of how a vaccine works inside the human body to protect
us from future infections.

Q46. Environmental Clean-up: How do microorganisms help in cleaning up the environment?

Q47. Food Poisoning: What causes food poisoning, and what are the signs that food has been
spoiled by microorganisms?

Q48. Pasteurization: Describe the exact temperature and time required for the pasteurization of
milk, and name the scientist who invented it.

Q49. Food Preservation: Mention any two methods of chemical or physical food preservation
(e.g., salt, sugar, airtight packaging) and briefly explain how they stop microbial growth.

Q50. Nitrogen Cycle: Briefly summarize how atmospheric nitrogen travels to the soil, is used by
plants and animals, and is eventually returned to the atmosphere.