Mixed Deck — All ALAT Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real ALAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All ALAT Topics flashcards as text
An ALAT is working with a species covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). According to the AWA, how long must individual animal records be maintained after the final disposition of the animal?
Answer: Three years
The Animal Welfare Act Regulations require that all records, including those for acquisition and disposition, must be maintained for a minimum of three years after the animal's final disposition (e.g., sale, euthanasia, or transfer).
Which of the following correctly describes why guinea pigs require dietary vitamin C supplementation?
Answer: Guinea pigs lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase needed to synthesize vitamin C
Guinea pigs, like humans and some primates, lack L-gulonolactone oxidase and therefore cannot synthesize vitamin C endogenously, requiring dietary supplementation.
A technician notices a rabbit repeatedly pressing its abdomen against the cage floor. This behavior most likely indicates:
Answer: Abdominal discomfort or pain
Pressing the abdomen against a surface (belly pressing) is a recognized sign of gastrointestinal pain or abdominal discomfort in rabbits.
What is 'ringtail' in laboratory rats, and what environmental factor primarily causes it?
Answer: Annular constriction of the tail caused by low humidity
Ringtail is annular constriction and necrosis of the tail caused by low relative humidity, most commonly seen in neonatal rats.
How often should HEPA filters in IVC racks be changed?
Answer: Per manufacturer recommendations, typically every 6-12 months, or when pressure indicates reduced airflow
HEPA filters should be changed per manufacturer specifications or when differential pressure monitoring indicates reduced airflow.
What is the typical estrous cycle length for a mouse?
Answer: 4-5 days
The mouse estrous cycle is approximately 4-5 days with four stages: proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus.
When performing a cage change on a mouse colony, the technician should handle mice using:
Answer: A tunnel or cupped-hand technique to minimize stress
Tunnel or cupped-hand handling has been shown to significantly reduce mouse anxiety compared to tail-only handling.
What does the acronym 'SPF' mean in the context of a breeding colony?
Answer: Specific Pathogen Free
SPF stands for Specific Pathogen Free, meaning the colony is free of a defined list of pathogens.
Which of the following is an ethical responsibility of an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician?
Answer: Reporting any signs of animal mistreatment or distress
Technicians must report any signs of mistreatment or distress to ensure ethical treatment of animals.
Under FDA Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations, how must a correction be made to a paper animal record?
Answer: Draw a single line through the error, note the reason, date, and initial it
GLP regulations (21 CFR Part 58) require that errors be corrected by drawing a single line through the incorrect entry so it remains legible, then adding the correct information, the reason for the change, the date, and the initials of the person making the correction. Erasures or use of correction fluid are prohibited.
A necropsy is being performed on a rat (Rattus norvegicus). Which of the following organs, commonly found in other mammals, will be absent?
Answer: Gallbladder
Rats do not have a gallbladder. In species that have one, this organ stores bile produced by the liver; in rats, bile is secreted directly from the liver into the small intestine.
A technician notices that a rat's fur appears yellow and oily. This condition is known as:
Answer: Chromohidirosis (yellow fur syndrome)
Yellow fur syndrome (chromohidrosis) in rats is caused by secretion of yellow/orange pigmented compounds from the Harderian gland onto the fur.
What is the primary purpose of providing nesting material to laboratory mice?
Answer: To allow thermoregulation and species-typical behavior
Nesting material allows mice to build nests for thermoregulation and provides an outlet for species-typical nesting behavior.
What is the purpose of maintaining pedigree records in a breeding colony?
Answer: To track genetic lineage, prevent unintended inbreeding, and maintain strain integrity
Pedigree records enable colony managers to prevent inbreeding depression, maintain genetic consistency, and track genotypes in transgenic colonies.
What does the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals represent?
Answer: The primary reference standard used by AAALAC and PHS for evaluating programs
The Guide establishes the standards against which AAALAC evaluates programs and OLAW measures PHS Policy compliance.
Which anesthetic agent is commonly used as an injectable anesthetic combination in rodents for short procedures?
Answer: Ketamine and xylazine
Ketamine/xylazine is a widely used injectable anesthetic combination in rodents for short to medium-length procedures.
The Whitten effect in mice refers to:
Answer: Synchronization of estrus cycles upon introduction of male pheromones
The Whitten effect is the synchronization of estrous cycles in female mice triggered by exposure to male urine pheromones.
When determining the sex of neonatal mice, what is the most reliable anatomical comparison to make?
Answer: The anogenital distance
The most reliable method for sexing neonatal rodents is to compare the anogenital distance, which is the space between the anus and the genital papilla. This distance is significantly longer in males than in females.
What is a barrier facility and how does it differ from a conventional facility?
Answer: A barrier facility maintains a defined pathogen-free environment through strict entry controls, sterilized supplies, and HEPA filtration, while conventional facilities have standard cleanliness without pathogen exclusion
A barrier facility excludes defined pathogens through controlled entry (showering in, dedicated clothing), sterilized supplies (autoclaved cages, food, water), HEPA-filtered air, and strict SOPs. Conventional facilities maintain general cleanliness without specific pathogen exclusion.
What is the primary purpose of a sentinel animal program in a laboratory animal facility?
Answer: To monitor the colony for the presence of subclinical infectious agents.
Sentinel animals are healthy animals placed in a colony to monitor for the presence of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that may be circulating without causing obvious clinical signs in the general population. Their tissues or blood are periodically tested to assess the health status of the entire colony.