What term describes organisms that obtain energy by consuming others?

The term that describes organisms obtaining energy by consuming others is "consumers." Consumers are a fundamental component of ecosystems as they rely on other organisms for their energy and nutrients. This group includes herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, reflecting their diverse feeding strategies.

In contrast, producers are organisms that produce their own energy, typically through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae. Autotrophs, which include all producers, also synthesize their own energy. Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic material but do not consume living organisms directly for their energy. Thus, consumers are specifically defined by their role in the food web as those that consume other living things to obtain the energy necessary for survival.