Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Omnivore
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to basic biology and ecology. It asks about the correct term for organisms that can feed on both plant material and animal matter. Knowing the difference between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores is fundamental for understanding food chains, food webs, and energy flow in ecosystems.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The organism described eats plant material as well as animal flesh.
- The phrase “eats everything” is a simple way of expressing mixed feeding habits.
- The question is asking for a standard biological term for such organisms.
Concept / Approach:
Herbivores feed mainly on plant material, carnivores feed mainly on other animals, and omnivores eat both animal and plant based food. Humans, pigs, and bears are common examples of omnivores. The term omnivorous diet explains the ability to digest and obtain energy from a wide range of food types.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Note that the stem clearly says “eats everything,” meaning both plants and animals.
2. Herbivore refers only to plant eaters, so this is not correct.
3. Carnivore refers only to flesh eaters, which also does not match “eats everything.”
4. Omnivore is defined as an organism that eats both plants and animals.
5. Omniscient means all knowing and is not related to feeding habits.
6. Therefore, the correct answer is omnivore.
Verification / Alternative check:
Standard school level biology textbooks define omnivores as animals and humans that consume both plant and animal food. This is consistent with the description given in the question, so the match is reliable.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Carnivore: Eats mainly other animals and does not usually rely on plants as a primary food source.
Herbivore: Eats mainly plants and plant products, not animal flesh.
Omniscient: Means all knowing in a knowledge sense, a word used in philosophy and religion, not biology.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up omnivore with omniscient because the prefixes sound similar. Another mistake is to assume that all humans are herbivores or carnivores, forgetting that most humans eat both plant and animal foods. Always link the term omnivore to the idea of a mixed diet.
Final Answer:
An organism that eats both plants and animals, effectively “eating everything,” is called an Omnivore.
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