Question

A food chain in an ecosystem represents the __________________

• A. feeding relationship
• B. energy flow
• C. ecological succession
• D. (a) and (b) above.

Answer 1

The correct option is D (a) and (b) above.

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another. A food chain consists of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers or top carnivores and decomposers. Energy trapped by the producers are transferred to other organisms in the food chain. Therefore a food chain in an ecosystem represents both the feeding relationship and energy flow in the ecosystem. Ecological succession on the other hand, is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.