Food Chains and Food Webs

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem, starting from primary producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients circulate among various organisms in an ecosystem.

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What are primary producers?

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Primary producers are organisms, such as plants and algae, that produce their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

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What are primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that eat primary producers (plants) to obtain energy.

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What are secondary consumers?

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Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

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What are tertiary consumers?

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Tertiary consumers are predators that eat secondary consumers and are often at the top of the food chain.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals.

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What is a herbivore?

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A herbivore is an organism that primarily eats plants.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for primary producers.