Page 80 - Viva ICSE Science 5 : E-book

own food by a process called photosynthesis. During
photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide, mineral and
water in the presence of sunlight to make food. Plants make

food for their own growth and survival, and also store it in
their roots, stems or leaves. Humans and animals depend
on plants for their food.

Animals as consumers

The organisms that eat the food prepared by the producers are called consumers or
heterotrophs (heteros = other and troph = nourishment). All animals and human
beings fall under this category as they depend directly or indirectly on producers for

food. Consumers can further be divided into four types based on their food. They are
herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and scavengers.

• Herbivores are those who eat only plants. For example,

cow, elephant, rabbit, goat and sheep are some animals
who are herbivores.

• Carnivores are those living beings who eat only meat. For
example, lion, tiger, owl, fox and snake are some carnivore
animals.

• Omnivores are those who eat both plants and animals. Bear,
squirrel and human being are some omnivores.

• Scavengers are another type of consumers who feed on
dead plants and animals. By eating away the dead plants and
animals, the scavengers help in keeping the environment
clean. Jackal, crow and vulture are some scavengers who
feed on dead animals. Termites feed on dead plants.

Decomposers

Decomposers like bacteria and fungi feed on the wastes and dead remains of plants and
animals even further. This way they return the nutrients to the soil, which are important

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