omnivores
34.1 | Digestive Systems By the end of this section, you will be able to: Explain the processes of digestion and absorption Compare and contrast different types of digestive systems Explain the specialized functions of the organs involved in processing food in the body Describe the ways in which organs work together to digest food and absorb nutrients Animals obtain their nutrition from the consumption of other organisms. Depending on their diet, animals can be classified into the following categories: plant eaters herbivores , meat eaters carnivores , and those that eat both plants and animals omnivores . The nutrients and macromolecules present in food are not immediately accessible to the cells. There are a number of processes that modify food within the animal body in order to make the nutrients and organic molecules accessible for cellular function. As animals evolved in complexity of form and function, their digestive systems have also evolved to accommodate their various dietary needs.