Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What is a diluent?

1. A substance that enhances flavor

2. The liquid that is added to a substance to dilute it

3. A solid used in chemical reactions

4. A method of preserving samples

The correct answer is: The liquid that is added to a substance to dilute it

A diluent is specifically defined as the liquid that is added to another substance to dilute it. This means that its primary function is to decrease the concentration of a solute in a solution, allowing for more controlled reactions or measurements in various scientific settings. In laboratory practices, diluents are crucial for preparing solutions that require a specific concentration for accurate experimentation or analysis. In contrast, other options address different concepts unrelated to the definition of a diluent. For instance, a substance that enhances flavor pertains to culinary applications rather than dilution processes. The mention of a solid used in chemical reactions refers to reactants or catalysts, which are not relevant to the concept of dilution. Lastly, a method of preserving samples involves techniques that maintain the integrity of biological or chemical materials over time, which also does not align with the definition of a diluent. Consequently, the focus on a liquid that reduces concentration makes the correct answer particularly fitting.