Which term describes organisms that obtain energy by consuming other living things?

Study for the 9th Grade Biology SOL Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes organisms that obtain energy by consuming other living things?

Explanation:
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other living things are called consumers. In an ecosystem, producers (like plants) capture energy from the sun and store it as chemical energy, and consumers must eat other organisms to access that energy. This group includes herbivores that eat plants, carnivores that eat meat, and omnivores that eat both. Decomposers obtain energy by breaking down dead matter, not by feeding on living tissue. Energy flows through the system from producers to consumers, with some energy lost as heat at each step, so the role of consumers is to transfer that energy by eating other organisms.

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other living things are called consumers. In an ecosystem, producers (like plants) capture energy from the sun and store it as chemical energy, and consumers must eat other organisms to access that energy. This group includes herbivores that eat plants, carnivores that eat meat, and omnivores that eat both. Decomposers obtain energy by breaking down dead matter, not by feeding on living tissue. Energy flows through the system from producers to consumers, with some energy lost as heat at each step, so the role of consumers is to transfer that energy by eating other organisms.

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