Pronunciation: [lˈab mˈa͡ʊs] (IPA) 
The spelling of the words "lab mouse" is straightforward as both words are phonetically spelled using the standard American English pronunciation. 'Lab' is pronounced /læb/, with the '-ab' pronounced as a short 'a' and a soft 'b'. 'Mouse' is pronounced /maʊs/, with the '-ou' pronounced as a 'au' diphthong and a soft 's' sound. This is a commonly used term in scientific research to refer to the mice used for laboratory experiments.
A lab mouse refers to a small mammal, specifically a mouse, that is commonly used in scientific research for various purposes in laboratory settings. These mice are selectively bred strains that have been specifically developed for laboratory use, with well-documented traits and characteristics. Lab mice are widely recognized as an essential model organism in many experimental studies for various scientific fields, including genetics, molecular biology, medicine, and toxicology.
These mice are typically housed in controlled laboratory conditions, providing them with a controlled environment that ensures their well-being and standardizes their living conditions within ethical guidelines. Lab mice are highly valued for their biological similarities with humans, making them an invaluable tool for studying numerous physiological, genetic, and behavioral aspects of human biology.
These meticulously bred mice serve as stand-ins for humans in numerous experiments, offering valuable insights into the understanding of diseases, drug development, and medical treatments. They allow researchers to investigate various phenomena and interactions between genes, environment, and diseases in a controlled and repeatable manner.
Lab mice are crucial to advancing scientific knowledge and the development of new drugs and treatments, enabling researchers to study the effects of certain genetic modifications, diseases, or novel therapies in a living organism. These animal models offer opportunities to observe and manipulate the mice's biology to study a wide range of research questions, contributing to advancements in biomedical science and ultimately benefiting human health and well-being.
The term "lab mouse" is a compound noun derived from two separate words with their own etymology:
1. Lab: The abbreviation "lab" is short for "laboratory". It originates from the Latin word "laboratorium", which means a place for work. The term entered the English language in the early 19th century and has since been commonly used to refer to a location or room equipped for scientific research and experimentation.
2. Mouse: The word "mouse" has a complex etymology, as it has multiple possible origins. In this case, "mouse" refers to the small rodent. The term dates back to Middle English, where it is derived from the Old English word "mus" and shares linguistic roots with similar words in other Germanic languages.
