What type of organisms are consumers?

Consumers are organisms that feed on other organisms to obtain their energy and nutrients. This group includes a variety of species, such as animals that hunt and eat other animals (predators), those that feed on plants (herbivores), and those that consume both plants and animals (omnivores). Consumers are a crucial part of the ecosystem because they help regulate populations of other organisms and contribute to the flow of energy through food webs.

In contrast, the other options refer to different ecological roles. Organisms that produce their own food are known as producers or autotrophs, as they convert sunlight or inorganic substances into energy. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil, while filter feeders capture particles from water but do not fit within the consumer definition as they typically consume smaller, often non-living, organic materials. Thus, the role of consumers is essential for energy transfer in ecosystems, highlighting their significance in maintaining ecological balance.