Which term refers to an organism that is hunted and eaten by a predator?

The term that refers to an organism that is hunted and eaten by a predator is "prey." In ecological terms, prey species are critical to the functioning of food webs and ecosystems, as they provide food for predators, contributing to their survival and influencing their population dynamics. The relationship between prey and predator is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

In this context, understanding the role of prey helps highlight the interactions within ecosystems, including how energy is transferred through different trophic levels. Prey are typically herbivores, omnivores, or other organisms that do not actively hunt for food but are consumed by predators for sustenance. This relationship is fundamental to the study of ecology and biodiversity.

The other terms provided have distinct meanings: "host" typically refers to an organism that harbors a parasite, "producer" refers to organisms like plants that create their own food through photosynthesis, and "consumer" pertains to organisms that eat other organisms to obtain energy, but does not specify the one being hunted. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the study of biology and ecological interactions.