LABORATORY RAT Meaning and
Definition
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A laboratory rat, also known as a lab rat, is a small mammal species belonging to the genus Rattus, specifically Rattus norvegicus or Norway rat. It is among the most commonly used animal model in scientific research, especially in areas such as biology, medicine, and psychology. Laboratory rats are specifically bred for laboratory use due to their ease of handling, adaptability, and similarity to humans in terms of physiology and genetics.
These rats serve as valuable subjects for studying various aspects of human health and disease. They are typically used in experiments to understand the mechanisms of diseases, develop and test new drugs, assess the safety of various substances, and investigate the effectiveness of treatments. Due to their short life span and rapid reproductive cycle, laboratory rats enable researchers to conduct experiments within a relatively short timeframe.
Laboratory rats are housed in specialized facilities called animal research laboratories, which provide controlled environments for their wellbeing and the successful execution of experiments. Animal welfare practices are paramount in these facilities, ensuring that rats receive appropriate care, nutrition, and humane treatment during their time as research subjects.
The selection of laboratory rats is crucial, considering aspects such as genetic purity and standardization to minimize variables in experimental outcomes. Ongoing efforts are made to explore alternative methods to animal experimentation, promoting the use of computer models, tissue cultures, and other in vitro techniques. However, laboratory rats continue to be indispensable in numerous research fields, serving as an invaluable tool for scientific advancement and enhancing our understanding of human biology and physiology.
Common Misspellings for LABORATORY RAT
- kaboratory rat
- paboratory rat
- oaboratory rat
- lzboratory rat
- lsboratory rat
- lwboratory rat
- lqboratory rat
- lavoratory rat
- lanoratory rat
- lahoratory rat
- lagoratory rat
- labiratory rat
- labkratory rat
- lablratory rat
- labpratory rat
- lab0ratory rat
- lab9ratory rat
- laboeatory rat
- labodatory rat
- labofatory rat
Etymology of LABORATORY RAT
The word "laboratory rat" is a compound term composed of two elements: "laboratory" and "rat". Here is the etymology of each component:
1. Laboratory:
The term "laboratory" originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word "laboratorium", which means a place for labor or work. It was initially used to denote a workplace or a room dedicated to scientific experiments, research, and the investigation of natural phenomena. The concept of a laboratory emerged during the Renaissance period when advancements in scientific inquiry led to the establishment of specialized spaces for conducting experiments.
2. Rat:
The word "rat" originates from Old English and dates back to the 14th century. It can be traced to the Proto-Germanic word "rattus" and similar words in other Germanic languages. Over time, the word evolved to represent a small rodent of the Muridae family.
