What is the term for organisms that rely on consuming others for food?

The term for organisms that rely on consuming others for food is "heterotrophs." Heterotrophs obtain their nutrition by consuming organic substances, which often come from other living organisms. This group includes a wide variety of organisms, such as animals, fungi, and many bacteria, all of which depend on other organisms for their energy and nutrient needs. These organisms cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, which is a characteristic of autotrophs.

Autotrophs, on the other hand, are capable of synthesizing their own food, typically through photosynthesis (like plants) or chemosynthesis (like some bacteria). Producers are often synonymous with autotrophs as they generate organic compounds that provide energy for heterotrophs. Decomposers, while integral to ecosystems, break down dead organic material and do not primarily consume living organisms in the same way heterotrophs do. Therefore, recognizing that heterotrophs are specifically those that rely on consuming other living entities clarifies their role in the food chain and ecological systems.