What type of consumer eats only plants?

The correct answer, which identifies the type of consumer that eats only plants, is herbivore. Herbivores are primary consumers in an ecosystem, meaning they depend entirely on plants for their nutritional needs. They possess specialized adaptations for processing plant material, such as tougher teeth for grinding, and digestive systems that can break down cellulose found in plant cell walls.

In contrast, carnivores consume other animals for their dietary needs, while omnivores eat both plants and animals, making them more versatile in their diet. Detritivores, on the other hand, feed on decomposing organic matter, which can include dead plants and animals, but they do not specifically consume live plants as herbivores do. Understanding these distinctions is crucial to studying how energy flows through an ecosystem.