In an ecosystem, predation is a biological interaction where a predator (an organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is attacked). Predators may or may not kill their prey prior to feeding on them, but the act of predation often results in the death of the prey and the eventual absorption of the prey's tissue through consumption. Thus predation is often, though not always, carnivory. Other categories of consumption are herbivory (eating parts of plants), fungivory (eating parts of fungi), and detritivory (the consumption of dead organic material (detritus)). All these consumption categories fall under the rubric of consumer-resource systems. It can often be difficult to separate various types of feeding behaviors. For example, some parasitic species prey on a host organism and then lay their eggs on it for their offspring to feed on it while it continues to live in or on its decaying corpse after it has died. The key characteristic of predation however is the predator's direct impact on the prey population. On the other hand, detritivores simply eat dead organic material arising from the decay of dead individuals and have no direct impact on the "donor" organism(s).
how do parasites support themselves?
what do they do with their offspring?
what is a detrtitivore?
are they harmful to their hosts?
What is predation?
what happens in that interaction?
what is a predator?
and prey?
is predation always carniverous?
What are other ways that predators feed on prey
What do herbivores eat?
and fungivores?
are feeding patterns easily distinguishable?
what is the defining quality of predation
how are the consumption categories outlined?
Prey on a host organism
For example, some parasitic species prey on a host organism 
Lay their eggs on it
For example, some parasitic species prey on a host organism and then lay their eggs on it for their offspring 
They eat dead organic material
 detritivores simply eat dead organic material arising from the decay of dead individuals
No
n the other hand, detritivores simply eat dead organic material arising from the decay of dead individuals and have no direct impact on the "donor" organism(s).
A biological interaction
In an ecosystem, predation is a biological interaction 
A predator feeds
In an ecosystem, predation is a biological interaction where a predator (an organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey 
An organism that is hunting
 where a predator (an organism that is hunting)
The organism that is attacked
 prey (the organism that is attacked).
No
Thus predation is often, though not always, carnivory.
Herbivory, fungivory, and detritvory
Other categories of consumption are herbivory (eating parts of plants), fungivory (eating parts of fungi), and detritivory (the consumption of dead organic material (detritus)). 
Plants
 herbivory (eating parts of plants)
Fungi
fungivory (eating parts of fungi)
No
 It can often be difficult to separate various types of feeding behaviors
Predator's direct impact on the prey population
 The key characteristic of predation however is the predator's direct impact on the prey population. 
They fall under rubric of consumer-resource systems
 All these consumption categories fall under the rubric of consumer-resource systems