Tertiary Consumer: Definition, Examples and Functions

Tertiary Consumer: Definition, Examples and Functions

A food chain contains several trophic levels. These trophic levels separate various types of organisms. A tertiary consumer is a fourth trophic level after producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. Tertiary consumers eat primary and secondary consumers as their main source of food. These organisms are sometimes referred to as apex predators as they are…

Secondary Consumer: Definition, Examples, Functions

Secondary Consumer: Definition, Examples, Functions

Secondary consumers occupy the third trophic level in a typical food chain. They are organisms that feed on primary consumers for nutrients and energy. While primary consumers are always herbivores; organisms that only feed on autotrophic plants, secondary consumers can be carnivores or omnivores. Carnivores eat only animals, but omnivores eat both animals and plants….

Primary Consumer: Definition, Examples and Functions

Primary Consumer: Definition, Examples and Functions

In an ecological food chain, consumers are classed into primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers. Primary consumers make up the second trophic level as they feed on primary producers. In other words, primary consumers are organisms that take up food directly from plants. Primary consumers are normally herbivores. They are also referred to as heterotrophs as…