heterotroph
Eats other beings
A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms or organic matter.
Animals, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs, in contrast to autotrophs like plants that generate energy through photosynthesis.
All animals are heterotrophs, dependent on other life forms for sustenance.
Spore-reproducing decomposers
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- saprophyteOrganism feeding on decay
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
mycorrhizae · mold · yeast · humus · decay · organic matter · compost
Creature eating only animals
- herbivorePlant-only consumer
- omnivoreEats plants and animals
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
scavenger · forager · grazer · filter-feeder · nectarivore · frugivore · insectivore · detritivore
Ecological feeding hierarchy
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- biomassLiving material in aggregate
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- energy transferPower moving between systems
apex predator · energy pyramid · carrying capacity · ecological niche
Single-celled eukaryotic organisms
- amoebaShape-shifting single-celled organism
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
fungi · protist · paramecium · nematode · rotifer · ciliate · flagellate · slime mold
One exploiting a host
- hostOne receiving guests
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
symbiont · pathogen · mycorrhizae · lichen · gut flora · obligate · facultative
fungi
Spore-reproducing decomposers
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- saprophyteOrganism feeding on decay
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
detritivore · mycorrhizae · mold · yeast · humus · decay · organic matter · compost
carnivore
Creature eating only animals
prey · scavenger · forager · grazer · filter-feeder · nectarivore · frugivore · insectivore · detritivore · browser
food chain
Ecological feeding hierarchy
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- biomassLiving material in aggregate
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
energy transfer · apex predator · energy pyramid · carrying capacity · ecological niche
protozoa
Single-celled eukaryotic organisms
- amoebaShape-shifting single-celled organism
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
mammal · fungi · protist · paramecium · nematode · rotifer · ciliate · flagellate · slime mold · animal
parasite
One exploiting a host
- hostOne receiving guests
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
parasitism · symbiont · pathogen · mycorrhizae · lichen · gut flora · obligate · facultative