The correct answer to the question "Which of the following is another word for a living thing?" is **Organism**.
Here's why:
1. An organism is a living thing that has the ability to function independently. This term is used to describe any individual living entity, whether it's a plant, animal, or microorganism.
2. Consumers, decomposers, and producers are different types of organisms that play specific roles in an ecosystem:
- Consumers are organisms that feed on other organisms. For example, animals that eat plants or other animals are considered consumers.
- Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter into simpler substances. They play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
- Producers are organisms, like plants, that can create their own food through processes like photosynthesis.
Therefore, in the context of living things, the term "organism" encompasses all types of living entities, making it another word for a living thing.
