ALAT Animal Health and Biology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which clinical sign most strongly suggests a mouse is experiencing respiratory distress?
- Increased grooming behavior
- Open-mouth breathing with extended neck (Correct answer)
- Reduced food consumption
- Mild weight loss over 48 hours
Correct answer: Open-mouth breathing with extended neck
Open-mouth breathing with neck extension indicates severe respiratory compromise requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Question 2: The cecum in rabbits serves which primary digestive function?
- Protein absorption
- Microbial fermentation of plant fiber (Correct answer)
- Bile storage
- Lipid emulsification
Correct answer: Microbial fermentation of plant fiber
The rabbit cecum houses a large microbial community that ferments cellulose and produces volatile fatty acids essential for nutrition.
Question 3: A technician notices a rat has hunched posture, piloerection, and half-closed eyes. These signs collectively indicate:
- Normal resting behavior
- Pain or general malaise (Correct answer)
- Aggressive territorial display
- Pre-estrus hormonal changes
Correct answer: Pain or general malaise
Hunched posture, piloerection, and half-closed eyes (the rat grimace scale indicators) are recognized signs of pain and distress.
Question 4: What is the correct term for the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in laboratory animals?
- Orchiectomy
- Ovariectomy
- Ovariohysterectomy (Correct answer)
- Hysterotomy
Correct answer: Ovariohysterectomy
Ovariohysterectomy refers specifically to the removal of both ovaries and the uterus, providing complete reproductive sterilization.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the function of neutrophils in the immune response?
- Producing antibodies against pathogens
- Phagocytizing bacteria as a first-line defense (Correct answer)
- Presenting antigens to T lymphocytes
- Secreting histamine during allergic reactions
Correct answer: Phagocytizing bacteria as a first-line defense
Neutrophils are the primary phagocytic cells of innate immunity, rapidly migrating to infection sites to engulf and destroy bacteria.
Question 6: In guinea pigs, a deficiency of vitamin C leads to which condition?
- Rickets
- Scurvy (Correct answer)
- Pellagra
- Beriberi
Correct answer: Scurvy
Guinea pigs, like humans, lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase and cannot synthesize vitamin C, making them susceptible to scurvy.
Question 7: Which organ is responsible for filtering blood and removing aged or damaged erythrocytes in mammals?
- Liver
- Kidney
- Spleen (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow
Correct answer: Spleen
The spleen acts as a blood filter, sequestering and destroying old or malformed red blood cells through its resident macrophages.
ALAT Animal Health and Biology 4
Which clinical sign most strongly suggests a mouse is experiencing respiratory distress?