Final answer:
Prey is an organism that is consumed by a predator, which may result in the prey being killed. Examples include snakes eating lizards and baleen whales consuming plankton. Herbivores like zebras eating grass can also be considered as engaging in predatory behavior when considered broadly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Prey
Prey refers to an organism that is consumed by another organism, known as a predator. In a predation relationship, the prey is the organism that the predator feeds on, which often leads to the prey being killed, although this is not always the case. For example, grazers like deer and cattle eat plants without typically killing them, making the plants their prey in a general sense.
Examples of Predation
In the classic sense, snakes preying on lizards, a lion hunting a zebra, or baleen whales consuming plankton are straightforward examples of predator-prey interactions. Such relationships are crucial for the regulation and balance of ecosystem dynamics. Even herbivory can be considered a form of predation, where the herbivore (e.g., a zebra) is the predator and the plant it consumes (e.g., grass) is the prey. Interestingly, predators can be prey too; for instance, blue jays may prey on insects and then be preyed upon by snakes.