In ecology, which term refers to organisms that feed on other organisms to obtain energy?

• A. Producers
• B. Decomposers
• C. Consumer
• D. Autotroph

Answer: (C)

Energy flow in ecosystems depends on organisms that make their own energy and those that must obtain energy by eating others. Producers, or autotrophs, capture energy from sunlight or inorganic sources to build organic matter. Consumers are the organisms that must eat other organisms to get energy. This group includes herbivores and carnivores, as well as omnivores and detritivores that consume organic material. Decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients, but they still obtain energy by consuming organic material rather than producing it themselves. So, the term that best fits organisms feeding on other organisms for energy is consumer.