Which type of organism feeds on dead or decaying organic matter?

The term that describes organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter is saprophytic. Saprophytic organisms, such as many fungi and bacteria, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients back into the soil. This decomposition process is vital for the health of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are available for other organisms, thus supporting new plant and animal growth.

In contrast, photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and some bacteria, produce their own food by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, rather than feeding on decaying matter. Autotrophic organisms are primarily those that can synthesize their own food from inorganic substances, while heterotrophic organisms obtain their food by consuming other organisms, which may include living or dead matter but does not specifically refer to those that solely feed on decaying organic matter. Therefore, saprophytic is the most appropriate term to describe organisms that feed specifically on dead or decaying organic material.