Which group includes organisms that must eat other organisms for food?

Which group includes organisms that must eat other organisms for food?

• A. Plants
• B. Fungi
• C. Animals
• D. Producers

Answer: (C)

Feeding strategy in ecosystems hinges on autotrophy versus heterotrophy. Animals are heterotrophs, meaning they must obtain energy by consuming preformed organic material from other organisms. They ingest food and break it down to access the nutrients they need. Plants and other producers are autotrophs that synthesize their own sugars, usually via photosynthesis, so they don’t need to eat for energy. Fungi obtain nutrients by absorbing dissolved compounds from their surroundings rather than ingesting solid food in the way animals do, even though they rely on other organisms for material. Because the question asks which group must eat other organisms for food, animals are the best fit.

Feeding strategy in ecosystems hinges on autotrophy versus heterotrophy. Animals are heterotrophs, meaning they must obtain energy by consuming preformed organic material from other organisms. They ingest food and break it down to access the nutrients they need. Plants and other producers are autotrophs that synthesize their own sugars, usually via photosynthesis, so they don’t need to eat for energy. Fungi obtain nutrients by absorbing dissolved compounds from their surroundings rather than ingesting solid food in the way animals do, even though they rely on other organisms for material. Because the question asks which group must eat other organisms for food, animals are the best fit.