Organisms that depend only on raw plant products for their food are described by which nutritional term?

Introduction / Context:
In ecology and nutrition, organisms are classified by the type of food they consume. Some feed only on plants, some only on animals, and some on both. This question asks for the correct biological term used for organisms that depend entirely on plant materials as their source of food.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organisms in question feed only on plant products.
• We must choose a correct scientific term from the options.
• Basic ecological terminology is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Herbivores are animals that feed only on plants or plant parts such as leaves, seeds, fruits, and roots. The term herbivorous describes this feeding habit. In contrast, carnivores feed mainly on other animals, while omnivores eat both plant and animal matter. Vegetarian is commonly used for human dietary choices but is not usually the precise ecological term for animals that feed on plants in nature.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the phrase "depend only on raw plant products" clearly refers to feeding exclusively on plant material. Step 2: Recall that organisms with this feeding habit are called herbivores and that the adjective form is herbivorous. Step 3: Examine the options and identify herbivorous as the accurate scientific term. Step 4: Choose herbivorous as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Ecology textbooks list examples such as cows, deer, and rabbits as herbivores because they feed on grass, leaves, and other plant materials. The term vegetarian is more of a human cultural label. Scientific discussions on food chains and trophic levels consistently use herbivore and herbivorous for plant eating animals.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option B (Vegetarian): This describes a human dietary preference rather than a general biological category for animals.
• Option C (Carnivorous): Carnivores depend mainly on animal flesh, not plants.
• Option D (Omnivorous): Omnivores eat both plants and animals, so they do not depend only on plant products.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may choose vegetarian because it sounds similar to feeding on vegetables, but in biology exams herbivorous is the more accurate term. Another confusion is between omnivores and herbivores, especially for animals like bears that eat both plants and animals. Remember that the question clearly states dependence only on plant products, which rules out omnivores.

Final Answer:
Organisms that depend only on raw plant products for food are described as herbivorous.