Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Animals that do not have any visible signs of illness and are used for testing are often designated as?

1. Healthy

2. Specific Pathogen-Free

3. Control Animals

4. Conventional

The correct answer is: Control Animals

The term that best describes animals with no visible signs of illness used in testing is "Control Animals." These animals serve as a baseline or reference point in experiments to compare the effects of treatments or interventions. By designating certain animals as controls, researchers can determine the influence of variables being tested and ensure that the results are due to the treatment rather than extraneous factors. Control animals are essential in experimental design because they allow scientists to account for variations in biological responses. They are typically maintained in a similar environment to the test subjects but do not receive the treatment being studied, ensuring that researchers can observe differences in outcomes clearly attributable to the treatment’s effect. While terms like "Healthy," "Specific Pathogen-Free," and "Conventional" relate to the health status and breeding conditions of laboratory animals, they do not specifically encompass the role that control animals play in research. Thus, understanding the designation of animals in research specifically helps clarify the purpose and integrity of scientific studies.