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food chainclick to hear

Order of the relationships of predation and dependence among living organisms.
food chain autotrophs inorganic matter heterotrophs decomposers secondary consumers tertiary consumers carnivores herbivores primary consumers basic source of food carnivores

autotrophs click to hear

Organisms capable of making their own food from inorganic matter and solar energy.

inorganic matter click to hear

Matter of mineral origin, converted by bacteria; the nitrogen, salts and water it retains serve as food for plants.

heterotrophs click to hear

Organisms that feed on organic matter that is already broken down, since they are unable to feed on mineral compounds.

decomposers click to hear

Organisms that break down organic matter (dead animals, excrement, plant residue) into mineral components that can be reused by plants.

secondary consumers click to hear

Carnivores that feed on herbivores.

tertiary consumers click to hear

Carnivores that feed on other carnivores.

carnivores click to hear

Animals that feed mainly on meat.

herbivores click to hear

Animals that feed on plants.

primary consumers click to hear

They feed on autotrophic organisms and are therefore usually herbivores.

basic source of food click to hear

Vegetables are at the base of the food chain for all other consumers; they are eaten raw or converted into meat by animals.

carnivores click to hear

Animals that feed mainly on meat.