Final answer:
Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food; they must consume other organisms. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores consume other animals, and omnivores eat both. Humans can be primary, secondary, or tertiary consumers depending on their dietary choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Consumers are organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. They include all animals, fungi, and some bacteria and even a few specialized plants. Humans can be classified as primary consumers when they eat vegetables, secondary consumers when they eat meat such as cows, and tertiary consumers when they consume other animal products like salmon. These classifications are based on what they consume and at what level in the food chain they obtain their energy.
Herbivores, like rabbits and deer, eat plants directly. Carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores, which include humans, dogs, and bears, consume both plants and animals. Within the context of a capitalist economy, consumers also play a critical role in determining what products are produced based on their purchasing choices which affect supply and demand.