Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What type of genetically altered animal is designed to turn on a specific gene?

1. Knockout animal

2. Transgenic animal

3. Knockin animal

4. Clone

The correct answer is: Knockin animal

The correct answer is a "knockin animal." These genetically altered animals are specifically designed to express a particular gene at a certain point in their development or in response to specific stimuli. The process involves inserting a gene of interest into the genome of the animal, often allowing researchers to study the effects of that gene in a living organism. Knockin animals are especially useful for examining gene function and the effects of different genetic modifications under controlled conditions. This contrasts with the other types of genetically altered animals. Knockout animals are those in which a specific gene has been deliberately disrupted or rendered nonfunctional, leading to the study of the absence of that gene. Transgenic animals contain genes from other species inserted into their genome, which may or may not be regulated in a specific way. Clones are individuals that are genetically identical to the original organism from which they are derived, but do not inherently involve turning on a specific gene or modifying expression. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the unique purpose of knockin animals in genetic research.