key term - Consumers

Definition

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms. They cannot produce their own food and rely on the energy stored in other living things.

Related terms

Heterotrophs: Heterotrophs are another term for consumers. They are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

Primary Consumers:

Primary consumers are herbivores that directly feed on producers (plants). They occupy the second trophic level in a food chain or web.

Secondary Consumers:

Secondary consumers are carnivores that feed on primary consumers. They occupy the third trophic level in a food chain or web.