Activity 1 - Definitions

In your research of the Grey Headed Flying Fox and any other animal for that matter, it is more than likely that you will come across some or all of these words. They just seem to pop up everywhere! Here are some definitions to help you to understand what they mean...

Adaption – a change in the genetic makeup of an organism as a result of its changed environment or situation.

Producer – an organism which produces its own food using raw materials. For example, plants make their own food using photosynthesis.

Consumer – organisms that consume other organisms to achieve sustenance. For example, all animals are consumers because they cannot make their own food.

Herbivore – consumers that only feed on producers (plants). All herbivores are animals.

Carnivore – consumers that feed on other consumers.

Food Web – a diagram made up of several food chains, showing the eating patterns and energy transfers of a number of organisms.