Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What kind of caging creates a barrier at the cage level, allowing greater control of the individual cage environment?

1. Microisolation

2. Group Caging

3. Squeeze Caging

4. Standard Caging

The correct answer is: Microisolation

Microisolation caging is designed to provide a controlled environment for each individual animal within its cage. This type of caging system typically features a barrier that minimizes the risk of contamination and allows for better management of specific environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and airflow. This is particularly important in research settings where maintaining the health and well-being of the animals is crucial for the validity of experimental results. The microisolation cage design often includes features like filter tops and allows for a degree of separation from other cages, which helps prevent the spread of pathogens and provides a more stable environment tailored to the needs of the individual animals. This contrasts with other caging systems, such as group caging or standard caging, which do not offer the same level of individualized environmental control or may encourage interaction among animals that could lead to stress or increased health risks.