Biology STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

Which type of organism consumes both plants and animals?

1. Herbivore

2. Carnivore

3. Omnivore

4. Decomposer

The correct answer is: Omnivore

The organism that consumes both plants and animals is classified as an omnivore. This classification is significant because omnivores play a crucial role in ecosystems by contributing to energy transfer across different trophic levels. They have a diverse diet that allows them to utilize a wider range of food sources, which can be advantageous in varying environmental conditions. Herbivores primarily consume plant material, which means they are limited in their dietary intake and do not contribute to the consumption of animal matter. Carnivores, on the other hand, thrive solely on animal consumption, forming a different ecological role by typically controlling populations of their prey. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, but they do not consume living plants or animals in the same way omnivores do. This unique dietary flexibility of omnivores enables them to adapt to different habitats and changes in food availability.