Antibiotics MCQs: Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. They play a major role in modern medicine and are a key part of the Class 12 Biology Chapter on microbes in Human Welfare. In the NEET Biology syllabus, this topic accounts for approximately 4% weightage in NEET, making it important for aspirants.
Since NEET includes many concept-based questions, solving MCQs is one of the most effective ways to revise and test your understanding.
In NEET Biology, antibiotics-related questions are often asked from the chapter Microbes in Human Welfare, which covers the use of microbes in industrial production, sewage treatment, antibiotics, and biofertilizers. Antibiotics like penicillin are especially significant as they were the first true antibiotics discovered and revolutionized the field of medicine. These MCQs assess not only your theoretical understanding but also your application-based knowledge. If you feel the need to revise the concept first, check out our NEET chapter-wise notes on Microbes in Human Welfare for quick revision.
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Antibiotics are medicines made from microbes that help fight bacterial infections. They either kill the bacteria or stop them from growing further. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. The first antibiotic discovered was penicillin, found by Alexander Fleming in 1928.
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Here are some important Antibiotics-related MCQs for NEET:
masses of anaerobic bacteria
masses of aerobic fungi only
masses of anaerobic bacteria and fungi
masses of aerobic bacteria associated with fungal filament
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Flocs are loose masses of aerobic bacteria that grow on organic matter in the aeration tank during secondary treatment of sewage. These bacteria are often attached to fungal filaments, forming mesh-like structures that help in settling the organic matter.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Penicillium notatum
Trichoderma polysporum
Monascus purpureus
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer’s or baker’s yeast, is used for fermentation in alcohol production and bread-making.
I. Anti is a Greek word that means against and bio means life in antibiotics.
II. The gases from biogas can be used as source of energy as it is inflammable.
III. The activated sludge is formed during the secondary treatment of sewage.
IV. Lactic acid bacteria improves the nutritional quality of curd by increasing vitamin B₆.
Choose the correct option:
I, II and III only
Only III
I and IV only
II and IV only
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Statements I, II, and III are true. Statement IV is incorrect because lactic acid bacteria improve curd by increasing vitamin B₁₂, not B₆.
More
Less
Same
zero
Answer: (A)
Explanation: BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) indicates the amount of organic matter in water. A higher BOD means more pollution because more oxygen is needed by microbes to decompose waste.
photoautotrophic microbes
chemoautotrophic microbes
heterotrophic microbes
heterotrophic microbes inoculated from outside
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Naturally present heterotrophic microbes in sewage play the key role in decomposing organic matter during wastewater treatment.
A-Sludge, B-Dung + Water, C-Gas holder
A-Dung + Water, B-Sludge, C-CH₄ + CO₂
A-Sludge, B-Gas holder, C-Dung + Water
A-CH₄ + CO₂, B-Dung + Water, C-Sludge
Answer: (C)
Explanation: In a biogas plant, sludge settles at the bottom (A), gas collects in the dome (B), and the dung-water mix enters from the inlet (C)
fermentors
chemicals
enzymes
organic farming
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Microbes are grown in large steel tanks called fermentors for large-scale production of beverages, antibiotics, and enzymes.
I correct, II incorrect
I incorrect, II correct
Both correct
Both incorrect
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Both statements are true. Human excreta is a major component of sewage, which is the municipal wastewater.
I correct, II incorrect
I incorrect, II correct
Both correct
Both incorrect
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Both are correct. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin from Penicillium notatum in 1928.
primary sludge
effluent
flocs
activated sludge
Answer: (A)
Explanation: In primary treatment, solids settle at the bottom and form primary sludge, while the liquid moves on for further treatment.
Anabaena
Nostoc
Azotobacter
Aspergillus
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Aspergillus is a fungus and does not fix nitrogen, unlike the other options, which are known nitrogen-fixers.
Bacteria
Aspergillus
Oscillatoria
Nostoc
Answer: (A)
Explanation: The fermentation of dosa/idli batter is carried out by lactic acid bacteria that produce acids, improving texture and taste.
Penicillium notatum
Staphylococci
Trichoderma
Monascus
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Penicillin, the first widely used antibiotic, is produced by the fungus Penicillium notatum.
A true, R false
A false, R true
Both true; R explains A
Both are true, but R does not explain A
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Market juices are clearer than homemade ones because they are treated with enzymes like pectinase and protease.
A true, R false
A false, R true
Both true; R explains A
Both are true, but R does not explain A
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Baculoviruses attack insects (not fungi or bacteria). The reason is correct, but the assertion is false.
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