Predation is a biological interaction where a predator (a heterotroph that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is attacked). Predators may or may not kill their prey prior to feeding on them, but the act of predation almost always results in the death of the prey. The other main category of consumption is detritivory, the consumption of dead organic matter. It can at times be difficult to separate the two feeding behaviours, for example, where parasitic species prey on a host organism and then lay their eggs on it for their offspring to feed on its decaying corpse. Selective pressures imposed on one another has led to an evolutionary arms race between prey and predator, resulting in various antipredator adaptations. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey called? ANS1 Predation QSN2 The act of predation typically results in what for the prey? ANS2 death QSN3 What is the consumption of dead organic matter called? ANS3 detritivory QSN4 Why do parasitic species lay their eggs on their prey? ANS4 their offspring to feed on its decaying corpse QSN5 The evolutionary arms race between prey and predator has resulted in what? ANS5 various antipredator adaptations