Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which research study might include the use of biocontainment caging systems?

1. Environmental studies

2. Behavioral studies

3. Kinetics studies

4. Infectious disease studies

The correct answer is: Infectious disease studies

The use of biocontainment caging systems is particularly relevant to research studies that involve infectious diseases. These systems are designed to contain pathogens and prevent their escape into the environment, thereby ensuring the safety of both personnel and other animals. In infectious disease studies, researchers often work with animals that have been infected with various microorganisms, which can pose a risk if they were to escape or if the handling procedures were to inadvertently expose laboratory staff or the environment. This specialized caging ensures a controlled setting where researchers can handle the animals safely while studying the effects of infections, transmission of pathogens, or testing vaccines and treatments. The other types of studies mentioned, such as environmental, behavioral, and kinetics studies, typically do not involve such high-risk pathogens and therefore do not necessitate the same level of containment.