ALAT Certification Study Questions

Other than the ALAT Training Manual, name the publication that you must read and study to prepare for the ALAT certification exam.

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

List the three levels of AALAS Technician Certification.

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg)

What organization was formed in 1950 by Dr. Nathan Brewer and other veterinarians?

Animal Care Panel (ACP)

In 1967, the Animal Care Panel (ACP) changed it's name to what?

American Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS)

What does the acronym RALAT mean?

Registered Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician

What does the acronym RLAT mean?

Registered Laboratory Animal Technician

What does the acronym RLATg mean?

Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist

What does the Principle Investigator do?

Plans and coordinates all phases of the research work and prepares the protocol

What is an Animal Use Protocol?

A document written by the Principal Investigator and approved by the IACUC, that describes and justifies the use of animals for a project

What does the acroynm IACUC mean?

International Animal Care and Use Committee

What is the PHS Policy?

Federal mandate that covers all live vertebrates used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, or for related purposes.

According to the Guide and PHS Policy, what document must institutions comply with when animals are euthanized?

AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia

Using 100 mice in a research study instead of 150 could be an example of which of the 3 R's?

Reduction

What type of device identifies individuals using distinct characteristics such as fingerprints or eye structures?

Biometric Scanner

What document should be posted throughout the facility, and is consulted and used when there is an emergency?

Contact list

What federal agency enforces the rules and standards for workplace safety?

Occupational safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Should a pregnant employee be assigned to work with cats? Why or why not?

No. Cats can carry the microbes that cause toxoplasmosis, which can harm the fetus

List three important factors for personal protection against radiation.

Time; distance; shielding

What is Toxoplasmosis gondii?

A parasite that can be transmitted through cat feces.

What is a decibel?

A unit which measures loudness

What are Material Safety Data Sheets?

Provides information on toxicity and potential side effects, and describes recommended treatment for exposures.

What is zoonosis?

Disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans

What is a N95?

A respirator mask that protects against airborne particles.

Q-Fever is carried by what animal?

Sheep (Ovis Aries)

B virus is carried by what animal?

Macaque

Toxoplasmosis gondii is carried by what animal?

Cat (Felis Cattus)

Tuberculosis is carried by what animal?

Nonhuman primate (NHP)

Who submits the Animal Welfare Assurance of Compliance that the animal research program meets all relevant regulations and standards?

Institutional Official

What nonprofit organization accredits laboratory animal research programs?

Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC)

What guidelines must an animal facility follow when research animals are euthanized at the end of a study?

AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia

Beyond food, water, shelter, and healthcare requirements, to comply with the Animal Welfare Act, what must be provided to dogs in a laboratory animal research facility?

Opportunities for exercise

What does the acronym SOP stand for?

Standard Operating Procedure

What are the 3 Rs?

Replacement, refinement, reduction

How often must an IACUC perform inspections of the facility?

Every 6 months

Who has the authority to sign the PHS Assurance?

The Institutional Official

Who reviews all animal use protocols at the institution before studies using animals can begin?

International Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

What regulation applies to animal and non-animal research and safety studies funded or reviewed by the FDA and the EPA?

Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)

Records of USDA inspections are available to the public under a provision of which federal law?

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

What document contains information regarding potential disasters, evacuation, and emergency contacts?

Disaster plan

What is the best way to measure the effectiveness of an institution-wide emergency system?

Periodic disaster drills

What involves the development of methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon physical features?

Biometrics

If you are present in the facility when a major disaster or accident occurs, what should be your first priority?

Protecting human life

What does an eye wash station use to clean the eye?

Clean water under low pressure

What type of hazard causes musculoskeletal injuries

Ergonomic

What provides information on the toxicity of chemicals?

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Whose standards specifically address the storage and handling of radioactive materials in the facility?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Adult sheep may consume up to how many gallon(s) of water a day?

1 gallon

The average life span of a goat is how many years?

8-12 years, and sometimes as old as 15+

The color of rabbit urine is determined by what?

The amount of minerals in the urine

Every six months , a female cat will have several periods of estruses, which may last 3-6 days, reproductively she is said to be what?:

Seasonally polyestrus

A female cat is called what?

Queen

A male cat is called what?

Tom

A male goat is called what?

Buck

A female goat is called what?

Doe

A female sheep is called what?

Ewe

A male sheep is called what?

Ram

A female dog is called what?

Bitch

A male dog is called what?

Dog

What is the scientific name for a goat?

Capra hircus

What is the scientific name for sheep?

Ovis aries

What is the scientific name for common house mouse?

Mus musculus

What is the scientific name of an African Clawed Frog?

Xenopus laevis

What is the scientific name for a cat?

Felis cattus

What is the scientific name for a dog?

Canis familiaris

What is the scientific name for cattle?

Bos taurus

What is the scientific name for a zebrafish?

Danio rerio

What is the scientific name for an axolotl?

Ambystoma mexicanum

What is the scientific name for a horse?

Equus caballus

What is the scientific name for a common rat?

Rattus norvegicus

What is the scientific name for a Syrian hamster?

Mesocricetus auratus

What is the scientific name for a rabbit?

Oryctolagus cuniculus

What is the scientific name for a guinea pig?

Cavia porcellus

What is the scientific name for a ferret?

Mustela putorius furo

What regulation requires that dogs be given the opportunity for additional exercise outside of the normal cages or runs?

Animal Welfare Act (AWA)

Guinea Pigs are used in a number of infectious disease studies, but they are especially useful in the study of what disease?

Tuberculosis

Guinea pigs cannot synthesize what vitamin?

Vitamin C

Scurvy

a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.

Why do gerbils have relatively little odor compared to other rodents?

They produce very small amounts of urine

Where is the ventral marking gland in Gerbils located?

The abdomen

Why are gerbils commonly used in genetic studies?

Their chromosomes are easily observed.

What do rabbits need while giving birth?

A nest box

What is the reddish material found in the tears and saliva of rats is called?

Porphyrin

The most unusual anatomic feature of the hamster, which makes it a popular model for research is called?

Cheek pouch

Euthanasia is listed in the AVMA Report as "Acceptable IV", this means what?

It is the preferred method of administering the drug.

An animal technician should assess the health of all animals under his/her care during what part of the day?

Early in the morning

What does the term subcutaneous mean?

Under the skin

The Largest government agency fostering biomedical research with direct financial support is?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)

What cellular structure contains the genetic material?

The nucleus

What is the recommended width for a hallway in animal facility?

6 - 8 feet

Where should microisolator cages be changed?

In a ventilated work bench

The Panel of Euthanasia Report which lists methods and guidelines on animal euthanasia is published by who?

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Brown fat

A special fat that is found in newborns and some young adult animals that can be metabolized very rapidly to provide heat to increase or maintain body temperature.

How often must nonhuman primates be observed during ground transportation?

Once every 4 hours

The "true stomach" in Ruminant is known as what?

Abomasum

What is the term for a specific causative agent of disease, such as a virus or bacterium?

Pathogen

Fomite

A non-living material that can transmit a disease.

Vector

Any living thing that carries a disease

When referring to disease , what does sub-clinical mean?

Illness which does not make an animal sick

The USDA annual report must be submitted by what date each year ?

December 1st

What federal agency regulates and publishes guidelines for the use of biohazards?

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)