ALAT Animal Health and Biology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A zebrafish displaying loss of equilibrium and spinning behavior most likely has a problem with its:
- Lateral line organ
- Swim bladder (Correct answer)
- Gill arches
- Optic tectum
Correct answer: Swim bladder
The swim bladder regulates buoyancy; dysfunction causes fish to roll, spin, or sink, a condition often called 'swim bladder disease.'
Question 2: Which physiological parameter is measured by a pulse oximeter in laboratory animals?
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
- Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) (Correct answer)
- Blood glucose concentration
- Mean arterial pressure
Correct answer: Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)
A pulse oximeter uses light absorption to estimate the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen in arterial blood.
Question 3: Chromodacryorrhea (red tears) in rats is caused by secretions from which gland?
- Lacrimal gland
- Harderian gland (Correct answer)
- Meibomian gland
- Parotid salivary gland
Correct answer: Harderian gland
The Harderian gland of rats secretes porphyrin-rich fluid that appears red around the eyes and nose, indicating stress or illness.
Question 4: The term 'epizootic' in laboratory animal medicine refers to:
- A disease affecting a single animal in a colony
- A disease outbreak affecting many animals simultaneously within a population (Correct answer)
- A chronic genetic disorder in an inbred strain
- A parasitic infestation limited to the skin surface
Correct answer: A disease outbreak affecting many animals simultaneously within a population
Epizootic describes the animal equivalent of an epidemic — a sudden increase in disease cases affecting a large portion of the colony.
Question 5: Which of the following is a correct statement about thermoregulation in neonatal rodents?
- Neonates are fully homeothermic from birth
- Neonates are poikilothermic and depend on maternal warmth (Correct answer)
- Neonates regulate temperature exclusively through brown fat oxidation
- Neonates have higher core temperatures than adults
Correct answer: Neonates are poikilothermic and depend on maternal warmth
Newborn rodents are poikilothermic (unable to self-regulate body temperature) and rely on the dam and nestmates for warmth until about 2 weeks of age.
Question 6: An ALAT observes that several animals in a cage have rough, patchy fur and are scratching intensely. The most appropriate next step is to:
- Administer an over-the-counter antiparasitic without notifying the vet
- Isolate affected animals and report findings to the attending veterinarian (Correct answer)
- Increase cage-change frequency and monitor for two weeks before acting
- Transfer all animals to a new room immediately
Correct answer: Isolate affected animals and report findings to the attending veterinarian
Isolation prevents spread while a veterinarian diagnoses the cause; technicians must not treat animals without veterinary direction under the AWA.
Question 7: Which anatomical feature allows rabbits to practice cecotrophy (consumption of cecotropes)?
- Elongated colon enabling rapid transit
- Flexible spine and neck allowing them to reach the perianal region (Correct answer)
- Specialized tongue with prehensile capability
- Enlarged stomach enabling fermentation of cecotropes after ingestion
Correct answer: Flexible spine and neck allowing them to reach the perianal region
Rabbits' flexible spine allows them to curl and directly ingest cecotropes from the anus, obtaining essential B vitamins and proteins.
ALAT Animal Health and Biology 5
A zebrafish displaying loss of equilibrium and spinning behavior most likely has a problem with its: