Feeding

Feeding refers to the processes by which organisms obtain energy and nutrients from their environment to sustain life. It encompasses intake, digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food, as well as the regulation of energy balance. Across the living world, feeding strategies are diverse and adapted to different environments and physiologies.

In humans and many animals, feeding involves complex interactions among sensory cues, appetite, and metabolism. A typical diet provides carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are digested and absorbed mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. Hydration, food safety, and cultural or personal preferences influence what is eaten, when, and how meals are prepared.

Animals exhibit a range of feeding modes. Herbivores derive energy from plants; carnivores from other animals; omnivores from a mix. Other strategies include detritivory (feeding on decomposing material), filter feeding (extracting small organisms from water), and parasitism. Many species demonstrate parental feeding behaviors, including regurgitation or lactation to supply offspring.

Plants are primarily autotrophic, obtaining energy through photosynthesis and nutrients from the soil; some plants are carnivorous and capture prey to supplement minerals. Microorganisms obtain energy via photosynthesis, fermentation, or chemotrophy, and many form symbiotic relationships that aid nutrient acquisition.

Feeding has ecological and health implications. Nutritional adequacy supports growth and function, while overconsumption or poor food safety can cause disease. Sustainable feeding practices consider food availability, cultural practices, and environmental impact.