Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

In what situation would metabolism cages be especially useful?

1. Behavioral observation

2. Weight management

3. Metabolic studies

4. Enrichment activities

The correct answer is: Metabolic studies

Metabolism cages are specifically designed for the purpose of conducting metabolic studies on laboratory animals. These specially constructed enclosures allow for the precise collection and analysis of various biological parameters such as urine and feces, which are critical for understanding an animal's metabolism. In metabolic studies, it is essential to evaluate how animals process nutrients and the efficiency of energy use. The controlled environment of metabolism cages minimizes variables and external influences that may skew data, such as environmental stressors or interactions with other animals. This ensures accurate measurements of metabolic rates and nutrient absorption, providing researchers with essential insights into animal physiology and the effects of dietary changes, pharmaceuticals, or different housing conditions. While the other options mentioned, such as behavioral observation or enrichment activities, serve important roles in animal care and research, they do not directly relate to the specific functional design and purpose of metabolism cages. Weight management may benefit from tools like these, but the primary aim of metabolism cages is to facilitate in-depth metabolic research, which is why this option stands out as the most appropriate scenario for their use.