Browse all practice questions for the Westcott Microbiology Laboratory Practice Exam. Search by topic, open any question and review its full explanation, then test yourself in the practice quiz.

2026 Westcott Microbiology Lab Practice Exam – Comprehensive Study Resource course image
All questions

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

  • During transfer steps in the protocol, what is being transferred?
  • Silk fibers are produced by which organism?
  • Which tube is the Maltose-containing sample used for Benedict's test?
  • Which image is most commonly used to illustrate a single-celled organism involved in fermentation?
  • One potential bacterial benefit of horizontal gene transfer could be:
  • This arrow is pointing to what lovely organism?
  • After preparing the mixture, the step described involves heating in which appliance?
  • In this lab, how many cell lines are used for viral antigens, and how many viral antigens do they cover?
  • How many years will this lab (second video) take to build?
  • In what year were the first chemotherapy drugs released?
  • Which image would represent the eggs laid by butterflies?
  • Which statement about lentivirus in the material is true?
  • What topic is discussed in the second video?
  • Which genus name appears in the list that begins with Thur?
  • Which immune cell is primarily responsible for presenting antigens to T cells?
  • How many times is the inoculation tool dipped into the test tube in this procedure?
  • Amylase is not produced by the liver.
  • This pink microbe likes ______ temperature.
  • Which statement about cyanobacteria is true?
  • This salamander appears to be in the ____ cell developmental stage.
  • What type of salamander is this?
  • Which factor is essential for a successful kidney transplant?
  • Which of the following is a marine echinoderm?
  • Which term refers to pollen produced by a dandelion?
  • Which genus in the following list is Euglena?
  • Which description best matches the role of IL-10 in immune responses?
  • Which microscopic image is plant tissue?
  • Which statement best describes carbohydrates in the phospholipid bilayer?
  • Which test tube was the first to be added to boiling water?
  • Total magnification of a microscope is determined by which two magnifications?
  • What is the primary energy-storage molecule found in adipose tissue?
  • During this step, which process is occurring?
  • Where do these organisms live?
  • What are some benefits of the new technology?
  • To diagnose pancreatitis, there will be a __ fold increase in lipase & amylase.
  • What is the usual magnification of the ocular lens?
  • In a diagram of the intestine, arrows point to which structure?
  • Which image would illustrate the initial life stage in a butterfly's life cycle?
  • Which image would represent a yeast cell or colony used in baking and fermentation?
  • How long do these petri dishes need to stay in this closed box?
  • Which tube contains DI water?
  • How many drops of Amylase are added to test tube 6A?
  • How long are the plates placed in the incubator?
  • Which enzyme is used to test for starch breakdown in this experiment?
  • What direction is this slide placed when moved in the direction of the arrow?
  • Which term refers to the sum of all metabolic reactions in the body?
  • What is the purpose of this step?
  • Inside the chamber, there is ______ air pressure compared to the outside.
  • The second largest part of the brain is the __________.
  • What term describes all chemical reactions occurring in the body?
  • 1A serves as a:
  • Level 1 labs handle __________________.
  • Which statement about cell membranes is true?
  • Bioprinting is the field described by the second video.
  • In a microbiology lab, which instrument is used to mark slides with a wax pencil?
  • Which enzyme is more specific for diagnosing pancreatitis?
  • What is the name of the molecule formed at the end of glycolysis that enters the mitochondria for further oxidation?
  • What is the purpose of passing the slide through heat in this step?
  • Which tube contains Amylase?
  • Which statement correctly explains why omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are considered essential?
  • It is important to completely fill the circle here with the mixture of water and bacteria.
  • Which image is most associated with a microorganism important in bread-making?
  • Worldwide, approximately how many people live with sickle cell disease?
  • Scientists can go into these chambers alone.
  • In 2018, how many people worldwide were diagnosed with cancer?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to Tuckerella spp?
  • Which term describes compounds with multiple phenolic units?
  • What can be inferred about the sample origin given the response "one cannot tell"?
  • Which genus is Chlorella?
  • What do we know about Archaea?
  • What does this bacterial growth represent?
  • How much is being measured from each test tube?
  • Approximately how long did it take for the slide to dry?
  • Which statement best describes the gene-editing technology discussed in relation to Casgevy?
  • What is the ideal glucose level of your blood?
  • In the hydrogel image comparison, which side is coated with hydrogel?
  • Which image would be most representative of a microorganism used in baking?
  • The drying step described in the process is intended to enable long-term storage.
  • What is the final dilution in this example?
  • The medium component identified is what type of substance?
  • Which term describes the DNA that is inherited specifically from the mother and located in mitochondria?
  • Which statement best describes prokaryotic DNA?
  • Which instrument is designed to transfer small volumes of liquid in microbiology experiments?
  • Which image is most closely tied to the structure that enables flight in butterflies?
  • Which image would you expect to see when discussing allergen particles including pollen and skin debris?
  • What is a major downfall of conventional passive guidewires?
  • The non-coding DNA is not functional.
  • Which vitamin is essential for forming blood clots?
  • During lactation, which tissue is actively producing milk?
  • Which genus in the following list is Vorticella?
  • In a signaling assay, the colors indicate what?
  • Which statement correctly describes the circle filling requirement?
  • Of the viruses made in St Joseph, how many are human pathogens?
  • What organism is being stained here?
  • What objective power do you begin with when examining a slide?
  • The thalamus is located in the __________.
  • What is the common nickname for psychrotrophs?
  • IL-10 is described as which type of molecule?
  • Which image is used to illustrate the eggs of a butterfly?
  • The Cas9 enzyme acts as which of the following in gene editing?
  • Which term describes a component that controls the flow of liquids in a system?
  • How do cold caps help patients undergoing chemotherapy?
  • One molecule of glucose reacts with how many molecules of oxygen in cellular respiration?
  • 1 gram of DNA can hold about ______ of data.
  • Beetle eyes are which type?
  • Which tube contains only Maltose?
  • Approximately what percentage of the human body is composed of minerals?
  • Which statement about mitochondrial DNA inheritance is correct?
  • Which vitamin is essential for blood coagulation?
  • How do the 3-D portions communicate with surface-located cells?
  • The time required for solidification of the prepared gel is approximately what?
  • Approximately how many base pairs does the human genome contain?
  • What term refers to free gas in the peritoneal cavity?
  • Bone marrow transplants: less than what percentage of eligible patients can find a donor?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to house eye fly?
  • In a staining procedure, what is typically contained in the drop used for rinsing?
  • Which gas is used to create an inert environment in the chamber?
  • How many types of chemotherapy drugs are available today?
  • What is a key difference between eukaryotic cells genetic makeup and prokaryotic genetic makeup?
  • The first approval of Casgevy in the United States occurred in which year?
  • The red arrows indicate the upper border of the ________________.
  • Casgevy is designed to treat how many blood disorders?
  • Which genus in the following list is Chlorella?
  • The lab's annual vaccine output is approximately 1 billion doses. Which statement is true about this output?
  • Which term describes the presence of air and fluid in a body cavity on imaging?
  • Which molecules are non-polar?
  • What pigment gives cyanobacteria their blue-green color?
  • Which statement about the gut microbiome and immunity is true?
  • Protozoa commonly move using which structures?
  • Glycogen is the storage form of glucose in which organisms?
  • How many key gene edits were used in this CRISPR study?
  • From which sample is this?
  • Which image would be included in studies of particulate matter like pollen and skin flakes?
  • Where can Methanogens thrive?
  • Which combination of minerals is listed as helping harden bone and teeth?
  • Which of the following is NOT listed as a step in vaccine production?
  • The microscopic exam looks at white blood cells.
  • What is the main source of energy for cellular respiration?
  • Which statement best describes Type II diabetes?
  • How long is all of the DNA in all of your cells?
  • What term describes the hydrophobic part of a phospholipid?
  • Engineers at which university developed the Robo-thread?
  • Most ______ grow best around human body temperature.
  • Where is the extra energy of your body ultimately stored?
  • Demodex folliculorum is best described as a type of organism?
  • How many people worldwide are living with sickle cell disease?
  • Mustard gas exposure halts the production of blood cells in which tissue?
  • The phospholipid head repels water.
  • The inside air pressure inside the chamber is lower than outside.
  • Serial dilutions are performed to ensure what outcome when plates are counted?
  • What is being placed on the slide?
  • Which professionals are public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury?
  • The microscopic image depicting crystals from urea is called
  • Which brain region relays sensory information to the cortex?
  • Which description best matches the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane?
  • The gut microbiome helps regulate the immune system.
  • This process, engulfing of substances via the membrane, is known as:
  • The red sea star is an example of which phylum?
  • Which gas creates an inert environment in the laboratory chamber?
  • Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophobic?
  • The _____________ makes up 3/4 of the brain's volume.
  • What sugar is detected by Benedict's reagent in this setup?
  • How many drops are being added to well 1A here?
  • Which statement describes eukaryotic cells relative to prokaryotes?
  • Which microscopic image is plant tissue?
  • Which term describes the largest part of the brain?
  • In urinalysis, which bilirubin level is acceptable?
  • Which molecule helps regulate membrane fluidity in eukaryotic cells?
  • What is occurring at this step?
  • Lentivirus is older than CRISPR.
  • Safranine stains bacterial cells a specific color. What color is produced?
  • Which microscopic image would most likely show enzymes and structural proteins in plant cells?
  • How long does Safranin need to stay on the slide to stain bacteria?
  • The plant's annual vaccine production is on the order of which magnitude?
  • What is the purpose of this step?
  • Which genus in the following list is Synura?
  • Which feature is characteristic of Gram-Positive bacteria?
  • In labeling radiographs, what does an arrow pointing to the air-fluid level indicate?
  • Which type of biochemical reactions rebuild large molecules from smaller units?
  • Which statement best describes the number of genes in the human genome?
  • Approximately how many microbial species are believed to exist on Earth?
  • Which of the following steps is explicitly included as part of vaccine production?
  • What is the first dye used in the Gram staining procedure?
  • Which microscopic image is plant tissue?
  • What is the water bath temperature set to in this experiment?
  • Which statement about heat exposure is true?
  • In what year was the first CRISPR Casgevy approved in the USA?
  • Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme conditions; one example is high temperatures. Which option reflects that statement?
  • In vaccine preparation, which step is used to concentrate the antigen?
  • Excess glucose is stored as:
  • Which statement best describes the practice of flaming the mouth of a tube before recapping it?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to copepod?
  • Which microbe is this growth representing?
  • What percentage of eligible bone marrow transplant patients typically find a donor?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to Potato beetle?
  • The 20,000 genes in the human genome make up about what percentage of total DNA?
  • Which term describes photosynthetic organisms that include red and green varieties?
  • Which of the following is a fungus that forms mold-like colonies?
  • Tarantula fang is a structure used for what purpose?
  • Lipase catalyzes the hydrolysis of which substrate?
  • Which of the following best describes the behavior of Demodex mites when they crawl onto the face?
  • What do mites do when they crawl out on your face?
  • Which statement best describes the health effect of mustard gas exposure?
  • Which term best describes the granular material commonly found on beaches?
  • Injury to which sites can cause an increase in amylase and lipase?
  • What is the next step?
  • The average bacteria is ____ um in size.
  • Which term refers to the cluster of sporangia on a fern frond?
  • The human genome contains approximately how many base pairs?
  • Which term would you use to label pollen produced by a dandelion?
  • Which of the following are steps in a urinalysis?
  • Which term refers to the process used to eliminate all living microorganisms?
  • To what is this arrow pointing?
  • What is the second solution typically applied after the primary stain in Gram staining?
  • Do face mites eliminate their waste?
  • Nutrients are typically categorized into how many major groups?
  • Which term describes the color combination associated with the coolest flame?
  • In the dilution setup, what is the volume in milliliters of the right-hand dilution tube?
  • Which image would be associated with the external features of a butterfly used for species identification?
  • When viewing an image in a microscope, it looks ______ relative to the placement on the slide.
  • Which molecule is cholesterol?
  • In what year was the Fat, Fiber and Cancer risk published?
  • What type of scientist studies insects?
  • Which genus is a photosynthetic flagellate commonly found in freshwater?
  • Which microbe is shown in the microscopic image?
  • In an experimental scenario, a central area's antibiotic level is 1000 times higher than baseline. What is the multiplier?
  • Which instrument is used to transfer microorganisms under sterile conditions?
  • In staining protocols, which liquid is typically used for rinsing slides and is free from contaminants?
  • What is the ingredient being shown here by the arrow?
  • The measles is not a preventable disease.
  • Who are the public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury?
  • Arrows labeled inner and outer layers of the intestine point to which structure?
  • Which of the following is a pine needle?
  • Which organism color description is associated with pink pigment production in culture?
  • How many legs does this organism possess?
  • Which reagent serves as an indicator for Maltose when heated?
  • Which genus is renowned for pink pigment production in nutrient tubes?
  • You have slightly more DNA from your ______ that is stored in the __________.
  • What does HLM stand for?
  • What is the molecule produced at the end of glycolysis that enters the next stage of respiration?
  • What term describes the growth of microorganisms on a nutrient medium?
  • Which microscopic image depicts self-assembling polymers?
  • Which genus is a microbe belonging to a resilient micro-animal often called a water bear?
  • Those entering the patients' rooms must enter and exit through the same door.
  • What is the numerical value represented by the scientific notation 1 x 10^4?
  • Minerals make up approximately what percent of the human body?
  • Which genus in the following list is Thecamoeba?
  • How will these plates be labeled?
  • Which image would most likely depict the early life stage of a butterfly?
  • The pinkish tube is growing with which microbe?
  • Which image depicts the wing structure of a butterfly?
  • One potential bacterial benefit of horizontal gene transfer could be:
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to proteins in plants?
  • What is the multiplier for the amount of antibiotic in the middle area here represented by the question mark?
  • Which is an example of a mold?
  • What is the name of the instrument being shown by the arrow?
  • Cell membranes protect which of the following components?
  • Which term describes the process of building large molecules from smaller units?
  • What process is used to kill all microorganisms on surfaces?
  • Which type of biochemical reactions destroy reactants and break large molecules into smaller components?
  • Identify the genus of microbe that is an amoeba.
  • What is the ultimate reason for serial dilutions?
  • What is the name of a structure with a sugar side chain?
  • What unit is used to express the average size of bacteria in this material?
  • Which genus is Synura?
  • Which statement about DNA length across all cells is most accurate according to the data?
  • Which statement best captures the main aim of Gram staining in this context?
  • What is the best fuel for good gut bacteria?
  • A regulatory mechanism that affects genetic activity would most directly result in which outcome?
  • Which term names the object commonly used to transfer cultures in sterile technique?
  • These are filled with an inert _________ environment.
  • What is the main purpose of Gram staining?
  • Which statement about predictors of the gut microbiome is true?
  • What is the name of the genetic scissors used in this context?
  • A dipstick urinalysis is used to determine which parameter?
  • The Alpine newt belongs to which animal class?
  • What is the step right before replacing the lid during aseptic technique?
  • Approximately what percentage of the human body is made up of carbohydrates?
  • Which genus of microbe is Stentor?
  • Approximately how many vaccine doses are produced per year at the plant?
  • To locate an image, it is best to use what power initially?
  • Which enzyme is the core component of the gene-editing system used by Casgevy?
  • What factor most limits access to bone marrow transplantation according to the material?
  • Which step in the staining protocol is used to fix bacteria to the slide?
  • Benedict's reagent indicates Maltose when heated by turning which color?
  • The step 'transfer of bacteria' involves which process?
  • Which term names the hair-like structures on a bee used to collect pollen?
  • Which statement best describes catabolic reactions?
  • How many days did it take for the bacteria to mutate into this region?
  • What is a feature of Gram-Positive bacterial cell walls?
  • What is added first to the A1 test tube?
  • The lab shown in the second video is expected to be built in how many years?
  • How many Americans die every day on dialysis?
  • The cell described as having a suppressive action against other cells is most consistent with which function?
  • Which term refers to the fern frond structure that bears spores?
  • Which statement about bilirubin in urine is accurate?
  • Which statement correctly describes the order of the first two liquids in Gram staining?
  • Which molecule is a sterol component of membranes?
  • Which of the following is not typically measured by a dipstick urinalysis?
  • Is it necessary to flame the inoculation tool one more time before transferring bacteria from the petri dish into the test tube?
  • Which model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic layer of lipids and proteins where components move laterally?
  • Which genus is Vorticella?
  • Where Extremophiles thrive?
  • Which option correctly identifies the notation used to express bacterial concentration in the example?
  • HDL, seen here are delivering the cholesterol to various organs to then build what type of molecule?
  • How many ml of water are placed in this mixture?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to seeds?
  • Basal Metabolic Rate is defined as the number of calories needed to do daily activities.
  • Which enzyme is primarily responsible for fat digestion?
  • Lipase is produced by which organ?
  • People with sickle cell disease have about ____ the risk of leukemia compared to people without sickle cell.
  • The device shown is controlled by which physical property?
  • With 20 cell lines used for 50 viral antigens, this represents what level of panel breadth?
  • The ovary of Drosophila is?
  • Protozoa have which characteristics?
  • Which image is best associated with the wing pattern of a butterfly?
  • Sternochetus is a genus name for which insect?
  • Stentor is a genus of microbe most accurately described as which type of organism?
  • Where do Demodex mites typically reside?
  • The phospholipid bilayer contains which components?
  • Which macronutrient most supports growth of beneficial gut bacteria?
  • When a step in aseptic technique is complete, should you immediately set down your inoculation tool?
  • Which image would be used to illustrate microscopic particles that cause allergies?
  • Which statement best describes the reason for the step described as achieving a homogeneous suspension?
  • Approximately how old are Archaea?
  • How many times does this slide pass over the heat?
  • The tube on the right represents a _____ mL dilution tube.
  • An entomologist specializes in studying which group of organisms?
  • Which organ primarily produces amylase?
  • Which substance can be used instead of agar to grow bacteria?
  • Which liquid is applied to the slide to mix with bacteria before further processing?
  • Which statement is true about the two surface images in the comparison?
  • The microscopic image showing proteins in plants is named
  • What percentage of your genes are similar to your grandparents?
  • How many of the viruses produced at St Joseph are human pathogens?
  • What step occurs when handling the inoculation loop after its use and before the next transfer?
  • Which statement best describes the color combination of the coolest flame?
  • Which components are commonly embedded in the phospholipid bilayer?
  • Why are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids considered essential?
  • What is a key difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
  • HDL cholesterol is used to synthesize which class of signaling molecules?
  • Approximately how much time is needed for these to solidify?
  • Which microscopic image corresponds to urea crystals?
  • Genes comprise roughly what fraction of total DNA?
  • Cancer cells and bone marrow both share which characteristic?
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy