Why food webs beat food chains key terms

What is a food chain?

A food chain shows how energy moves from one organism to another in a straight line.

What is a food web?

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

True or false: Food chains show all feeding relationships.

False, because food chains only show one path of energy flow, not all connections.

Difference between food chain and food web?

A food chain is simple and linear, while a food web is complex and shows multiple feeding paths.

Fill in the blank: In a food web, organisms are ________ connected.

In a food web, organisms are interconnected.

Example of a producer in a food web?

Grass is a producer because it makes its own food through photosynthesis.

Question: Why are food webs more stable than food chains?

Food webs are more stable because they provide multiple food sources, reducing the impact of changes.

What is a primary consumer?

A primary consumer eats producers. Examples are rabbits and deer.

True or false: A food web can have several top predators.

True, because multiple species can be at the top of different food chains.

What role do decomposers play?

Decomposers break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

Example of a secondary consumer?

A snake is a secondary consumer because it eats primary consumers like mice.

Question: How do changes in one species affect a food web?

Changes can ripple through the web, affecting many other species due to interconnections.