Which term describes an organism that derives its energy from consuming other organisms or their remains?

The term that describes an organism that derives its energy from consuming other organisms or their remains is "consumer." In ecological terms, consumers are categorized as organisms that cannot produce their own food and therefore rely on the consumption of other living beings or organic matter to meet their energy needs. This group includes various types of organisms, such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, which play critical roles in the food chain by transferring energy from one trophic level to another.

While herbivores specifically eat plants, producers are organisms like plants and algae that generate energy through photosynthesis, and omnivores consume both plants and animals. Each of these terms describes a different ecological role, but only "consumer" encompasses all organisms that rely on others for energy, making it the most accurate choice in this context.