This document provides instructions for Assignment 4, which requires students to write an organism profile paper. Students should incorporate the outline from Assignment 2 and abstract from Assignment 3. The profile paper must include an introduction with the scientific and common names of the organism and where it lives, as well as sections on background, life cycle, structure/function of an organ system, evolution, additional interests, and a conclusion. Students are advised to review sample profiles, carefully read the directions, and message instructors with any questions. Strict formatting and citation guidelines must be followed.

1. Assignment 4: The Organism Profile
Attachments:
Rubric
Sample profile
In this step of the course project you will write a well-
researched organism profile (research paper) on your chosen
organism. You should incorporate both the Outline (
Assignment 2
) fleshed out into paragraphs and the Abstract (
Assignment 3
) into this profile. Recall that your research should come from
scientific information from the APUS library (see the work you
completed for
Academic Honor Review and Library Research Primer
) as well as appropriate sources on the internet.
To prepare for this assignment I recommend that you do the
following:
Read these directions carefully.
Review the sample profile provided to you.
Read the rubric. The rubric is a very detailed template that I
will use to assess your performance. It also will help you
understand what is expected from you as you prepare your
assignment.
Message me with any questions!
The required elements
: Your profile should contain the following elements in the
order listed below. Please note that this closely mirrors the
expectations of the Outline (
Assignment 2
) as well as the abstract (
Assignment 3

2. ).
However, my expectation is that any feedback that was given to
you from Assignments 2 and 3 be incorporated into this
assignment. Please go back and review those comments.
Your Abstract should contain the following parts that are listed
below.
Topic Sentence
:
your abstract must contain one sentence that clearly and
concisely introduces the topic of the profile paper.
Content Sentences
:
your abstract must mention the following five main topics of the
profile: background information about the species, life cycle of
the organism, structure and function of one organ system of the
organism, evolutionary topic, and an additional interest. This is
challenging to write! These sentences should not be too
specific, but reflect broad strokes summaries of each of these
main topics.
Conclusion Sentence
:
Abstract contains one sentence that mentions key conclusions
and/or findings.
Here is a link that may help:
Advice on
writing abstracts
:
(Please note that you do not have a methods section in this
paper. Despite that difference, this is a great resource with
great tips).
I.
The Introduction
: this section must contain

3. A. The scientific name of your organism. Please see this link (
How to Write Latin Names
) for help if needed.
B. The common name of your organism. What do most people
know it as?
C. The area of residence in which you and your organism are
(country/state/city).
D. The specific
biome
of where your organism lives. Please see this link on
biomes
for help if needed.
II.
The Body
: this section should contain
A.
Background
: include a general physical description of your organism
B.
Life Cycle
: describe the life cycle of your organism. The life cycle refers
to the series of changes that happens from the beginning of life
as your organism develops and grows into a mature organism.
Please see here for some hints on
life cycle
.
C.
Structure and Function
: please select one organ system of your organism that you find
to be particularly interesting and describe both the anatomy and
physiology of that system.
a. If your organism is an animal, here are a list of the
general animal organ systems
.
b. If your organism is a plant, here are a list of the
general plant organ systems

4. .
c. If you have selected a bacteria or a fungus the concept can
be more complex. Please contact me directly for more
directions if needed.
D.
Evolution
: Evolution is best understood as heritable change over time, or
descent with modification. Please be sure to discuss the
evolution of your organism using the following guidance:
a. Conduct a review of scientific literature to understand what
is known about the evolution of your chosen organism. Search
key words like evolution, fossil, ancestor. Also, refer back to
your results from Assignment 1.
b. Conduct a review of scientific literature to understand the
family tree or phylogeny of your organism. Phylogeny is
defined as the history of organismal lineage as they change
through time. Search key words like phylogeny, phylogenetic
and genetic analysis.
c. Use the
Tree of Life Project
to help you identify the lineage and related species.
E.
Additional Interests
: The diversity of biological organisms is vast and interesting!
Identify at least one unique fact or behavior not covered in the
life cycle, structure/function or evolution and discuss it. For
example, does your organism have an interesting parental care
strategy or mating system? What about an adaptation or co-
dependence with another species?
III.
Conclusion section
: this section should contain four to six bullet points that sum
up the main points from the outline.
IV.
Reference section
:

5. this is not just a separate section; rather referencing should
occur throughout the outline as it will in your paper
. Please be sure to cite any language within the outline that
should be cited. Proper citation and referencing were reviewed
in Assignment 1; please look back at those resources and/or ask
me if you have any additional questions. Your paper should also
have a final reference page listing the sources used throughout
the outline.
Please make note of the following tips and tricks:
Please note that less than 10% of your paper should contain
direct quotes.
Avoid bulleted lists within the body of your paper.
Do not write in first or second person.
One last reminder
: be sure to properly cite your work, both internal to the paper
as well as within the reference page.