Laboratory Animal Technician Certification Exam 2023

Abduction - ANSWER-The movement of a bone away from the mid-line of the body or away from the axis of an extremity. Abomasum - ANSWER-The fourth stomach compartment of a ruminant animal; the only compartment that secretes digestive enzymes and is thus a true stomach. Abscess - ANSWER-A localized collection of pus accompanied by swelling in any part of the body. Accessory Sex Gland - ANSWER-A gland associated with the urogenital tract;for example, the prostate and seminal vesicles in males which provide the fluid needed for sperm transport during ejaculation Acclimation period - ANSWER-The time given to a newly arrived animal to become accuslomed to its new surroundings before the research for which it is intended begins. Acetylcholine - ANSWER-A naturally occurring substance in the body t hat is involved i n the transmission of nerve impulses. Acid - ANSWER-Chemical or solution with a pH below 7.Chemicals that have a very low pH can cause chemical burns to the skin and should be handled cautiously. Acquired immunity - ANSWER-Immunity acquired through exposure to an antigen,which results in the activation of immune cells and the formation of antibodies to this antigen. Also called active immunity. Activity cage - ANSWER-A specialized animal unit or cage that allows an animal to exercise freely while its activity is being recorded or measured Acute disease - ANSWER-A disease having rapid onset and short duration. Acute toxicity test - ANSWER-A test in which the test animal receives a single dose of a test substance. Adduction - ANSWER-The movement of a bone toward the midline of the body or toward the axis of an extremity Ad libitum - ANSWER-Making feed or water availble to the animal at all times Adipose tissue - ANSWER-tissue made up of cells that store fatty substances,such as lipids and fatty acids. Used as a source of energy for the body. Also called fatty tissue Adjuvant - ANSWER-A substance that enhances the potency of another substance. In immunology. it is a substance that enhances the immune response to antigens Adrenaline - ANSWER-A hormone that is secreted by the adrenal medulla into the blood stream in response to physical or mental stress. such as that caused by fear or injury. Adrenaline causes a rapid increase in blood pressure. metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration. Also called epinephrine. Adrenergic - ANSWER-A drug, or other subtance that has effects similar to epinephrine. Adventitious - ANSWER-Accidental or acquired; not natural or hereditary Aerosol - ANSWER-A suspension, fine mist. or spray which contains minute particles. Examples of common aerosolized particles include pollen. medications (as in inhalation therapy)or pathogens Agar - ANSWER-A polymer made up of subunits of the sugar galactose that becomes gelatinous when dissolved in hot water and cooled. Used as medium for culturing microorganisms Agonist - ANSWER-A drug capable of stimulating physiologic activity Agouti - ANSWER-An animal color pattern in which the hairs are dark brown with yellow bands close to the g the animal a light brown appearance. Agranulocyte - ANSWER-A white blood cell that contains a multilobed nucleus and has microscopic granules in its cytoplasm; types include leukocytes and monocytes. Air exchange - ANSWER-The number of times per hour the ventilation system replaces the air in the room. Albino - ANSWER-A inherited condition marked by the absence of melanin, resulting in non pigmented skin. coat, and eyes. An albino animal has white fur or feathers and pink eyes (irises). Alimentary canal - ANSWER-A long tube extending from the mouth to the anus: includes organs such as the stomach and intestines. Also called the gastrointestinal tract. Allele - ANSWER-One member of a pair of genes that occupies a specific site on a given chromosome. Alternate form of a gene Allergen - ANSWER-A substance that is recognized as foreign by the immune system and that causes an allergic reaction Allergy - ANSWER-Hypersensitivity to certain substances. such as pollens, foods, or microorganisms. Alopecia - ANSWER-Hairloss, usually associated with a skin disease, fighting, parasites, or barbering. AItricial - ANSWER-developmental state in which animals are horn blind, hairless, and helpless. Most rodents are altricial at birth Alveolus (plural, alveoli) - ANSWER-A microscopic air sac in the lungs where the exchange of respiratory gases occurs through a network of finely divided blood capillaries Ambulation - ANSWER-The physical act of walking Amino acid - ANSWER-The basic chemical building block of which proteins are made Amorphous - ANSWER-Having no shape or organization. Analgesic: - ANSWER-A type of drug that alleviates pain without rendering the animal unconscious. Anaphylactic shock - ANSWER-A sudden ,severe allergic reaction characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives, and respiratory distress.' The reaction may be fatal if emergency treatment is not administered immediately. Androgen - ANSWER-Testosterone or any of the related male sex hormones Anemia - ANSWER-A blood disorder in which the number or size of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin per volume of blood is below normal. In anemia, the volume of packed red blood cells per volume of blood is less than normal Anemometer - ANSWER-An instrument that measures air flow; used for balancing ventilation. Anesthesia - ANSWER-The temporary loss of feeling or sensation induced by one or more drugs; may refer to local, regional, or general types of anesthesia Anesthetic - ANSWER-A type of drug that blocks the sensation of pain by acting on nerves or the brain. A general anesthetic also renders the individual unconscious Anestrus - ANSWER-The period of time between breeding seasons in some animal species. such as dogs and cats. Animal model - ANSWER-An animal whose structural or functional similarity to humans or other animals makes it useful in the study of human or animal diseases. Animal Welfare Act - ANSWER-The federal l aw by which the USDA regulates the use of warm -blooded vertebrates in research. Does not cover birds, rats and mice bred exclusively for research, or farm animals used or intended for use as food or fiber. Animal Welfare Regulations - ANSWER-(AWR):The federal regulations that specify how the Animal Welfare Act should be followed. The AWR are enforced by the USDA Anogenital distance - ANSWER-The distance between the anus and genital papilla of most animals; typically greater in males than in females. Used for sexing animals. Anorexia - ANSWER-Loss of appetite Antagonist - ANSWER-A drug that counteracts or opposes the action of another drug or blocks a physiological activity. Anterior - ANSWER-Toward the front of the body, generally used in reference to bipeds Anthelmintic - ANSWER-A type of drug that eliminates a wide variety of parasitic worms Anthropoid - ANSWER-A primate that appears human like; includes apes and monkeys Antibiotic - ANSWER-A type of drug that kills or prevents the reproduction of bacteria on or in the body. Antibody - ANSWER-A blood protein that is produced in response to foreign as a biomolecule, bacterium, virus, parasite, or transplanted organ. Antibody titer - ANSWER-A test that measures the presence and a mount of antibody in blood. Anticoagulant: - ANSWER-A substance, such as EDTA, sodium citrate, or heparin, that is added to blood samples to prevent clotting, thus allowing the blood to be separated into its liquid and solid components. Antidote - ANSWER-An agent used to neutralize or counteract the effects of a poison Antifungal - ANSWER-A substance that kills fungi or limits their growth. Antigen - ANSWER-A microorganism or other foreign substance or protein, such as bee venom or dander. that prompts the body to develop an immune response. Anti-inflammatory - ANSWER-A type of drug that reduces the swelling, itching, and pain associated with inflammatory reactions. Anti parasitic - ANSWER-A type of drug that kills parasites living in or on a host animal. Antiprotozoal: - ANSWER-A type of drug that kills protozoan parasites living within an animal. Antiseptic: - ANSWER-A substance that kills some microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Not a steriliant, but can be used safely on living tissue; for example, tincture of iodine. Aorta - ANSWER-The large arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed through the body by branch arteries. Aortic valve - ANSWER-The membrane located between the aorta and the left ventricle that prevents the back flow of blood into the left ventricle of the heart Appendicular - ANSWER-Pertaining to the limbs of the body Appendicular skeleton - ANSWER-The bones attached to the axial skeleton that make up the limbs of an animal. Aqueous solution - ANSWER-A mixture of a gas. solid dissolved in water. Arrhythmia - ANSWER-An abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart that causes an irregularity in the force or rhythm of the heartbeat Artery - ANSWER-A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the various parts of the body. Artificial insemination - ANSWER-Manually placing semen into the reproductive tract of the female. Ascites: - ANSWER-An accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity Asepsis - ANSWER-A condition in which disease-producing microorganisms are absent;a state of sterility. Aseptic - ANSWER-Free of pathogenic microorganisms Aseptic surgery - ANSWER-A surgical technique in which the surgical wound is protected from contamination with infectious organisms. Also called surgical asepsis. Aseptic technique - ANSWER-The art of preventing contamination of a disinfected or sterile field. Aspiration - ANSWER-The withdrawal of fluid or other substances through a hypodermic needle. Asymptomatic - ANSWER-Exhibiting no symptoms of disease Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-A condition in which fatty deposits of yellowish plaque line the arteries and cause vascular ng to arterial obstruction. Athymic animal - ANSWER-An animal lacking a thymus, which causes a genetic T-cell deficiency. Atlas - ANSWER-The first cervical vertebra of the spinal column which, along with the axis, allows movement between the skull and the body. Atom - ANSWER-The smallest unit of an element, having all the characteristics of that element and consisting of a dense, central, positively charged nucleus surrounded by a system of electrons. Atrium - ANSWER-An upper heart chamber which receives blood from the veins and forces it into a ventricle Auricular artery - ANSWER-An artery of the ear. which is the most common blood collection site in the rabbit. Also called central ear artery. Autoclave - ANSWER-A machine with a closed chamber in which items are sterilized under high pressure by a timed exposure to superheated steam. Counter top and walk• through autoclaves are available, and are appropriate for sterilizing various items from surgical instruments to caging equipment. Also called a steam autoclave Autoclave tape - ANSWER-Chemically treated adhesive tape used to indicate the effectiveness of the autoclave cycle.The tape changes color after exposure to hot steam for a period of ti me. Also called sensor tape. Autonomic nervous system - ANSWER-A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that controls the involuntary functions of the. viscera and other organs Autoradiography - ANSWER-A technique used to determine the tissue localization of a radioactive substance. Axenic: - ANSWER-Refers to animals that are completely free of all detectable microorganisms and parasites. Also called germfree Axial - ANSWER-Situated around or along an axis Axial skeleton - ANSWER-The bones that make up the central trunk of the body, including the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. Axis - ANSWER-The second cervical vertebra of the spinal column which, along with the atlas, allows movement between the skull and the body. Axon - ANSWER-A long extension of a single nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses away from the body of the nerve cell and towards other excitable cells. Backcrossing - ANSWER-To cross a hybrid with one of its parents or with an individual genetically identical to one of its parents. Bacteremia - ANSWER-A disease state where bacteria are present in the bloodstream Bacteriology - ANSWER-The study of bacteria Bacterium - ANSWER-A unicellular microorganism that usually multiplies by cell division. It has a cell wall and various organelles for metabolism and reproduction. In medicine, relevant bacteria are free-living, commensal organisms or pathogens. Visible when stained and viewed with light microscopy Barbering - ANSWER-Hair-pulling done by dominant mice to the weaker mice to assert dominance; mice may need to be separated. Barbiturate - ANSWER-A type of drug that depresses the central nervous system, providing a sedative-hypnotic effect. An overdose of barbiturates can be used for euthanasia. Barrier - ANSWER-A system of engineering. equipment, and practices either to keep microbes within an area or to prevent their entry into that area. Barrier facility - ANSWER-A facility that is designed for bio exclusion to prevent entry to microorganisms and to prevent pathogens from leaving the facility Barrier-reared animal - ANSWER-An animal raised in a controlled microbial barrier, which prevents the entrance of pathogenic organisms. Barrow - ANSWER-A castrated male pig