Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What are two reasons that automatic watering systems are often used for laboratory animals?

1. Eliminate food waste and provide nutrition

2. Enhance social interaction and reduce stress

3. Provide a filter system and eliminate ergonomic hazards

4. Maintain constant temperature and humidity

The correct answer is: Provide a filter system and eliminate ergonomic hazards

Automatic watering systems are valued in laboratory settings primarily for their ability to provide a filter system and eliminate ergonomic hazards. The incorporation of a filter system ensures that the water provided to the animals is clean and safe, reducing the risk of contamination and promoting the health and well-being of the animals. This is crucial because clean water is vital for hydration, overall health, and accurate scientific results. Additionally, automatic watering systems can reduce ergonomic hazards for personnel. By automating the water delivery process, these systems decrease the need for staff to manually fill water containers, which can involve repetitive motions and heavy lifting. This not only promotes a safer working environment but also allows technicians to focus more on animal health monitoring and other essential tasks rather than the manual labor of watering. The other options do not accurately capture the primary functions of automatic watering systems; they are more related to feeding, animal behavior, climate control, or other aspects unrelated to the specific advantages of these systems in a laboratory setting.