What term describes an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms?

What term describes an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms?

• A. Consumer
• B. Producer
• C. Decomposer
• D. Herbivore

Answer: (A)

The term that describes an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms is "consumer." Consumers play a vital role in the ecosystem as they depend on other organisms—whether plants, animals, or decomposing matter—for their energy and nutrients. They can be classified into various categories such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, depending on their specific dietary habits. Producers, in contrast, are organisms that create their own energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, largely including plants and some bacteria. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, functioning differently from consumers. Herbivores specifically refer to consumers that primarily eat plants, but they are just one subset of consumers. Thus, while the other terms describe specific types of organisms in the food chain, "consumer" is the broad and accurate term for organisms that obtain their energy from consuming other living entities.

The term that describes an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms is "consumer." Consumers play a vital role in the ecosystem as they depend on other organisms—whether plants, animals, or decomposing matter—for their energy and nutrients. They can be classified into various categories such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, depending on their specific dietary habits.

Producers, in contrast, are organisms that create their own energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, largely including plants and some bacteria. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, functioning differently from consumers. Herbivores specifically refer to consumers that primarily eat plants, but they are just one subset of consumers. Thus, while the other terms describe specific types of organisms in the food chain, "consumer" is the broad and accurate term for organisms that obtain their energy from consuming other living entities.