A food chain is a series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food. It consists of different trophic levels: the first level is occupied by autotrophs or producers, the second by herbivores or primary consumers, the third by small carnivores or secondary consumers, and the fourth by larger carnivores or tertiary consumers.
Share
A food chain is a linear representation of the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem, illustrating the transfer of food from one organism to another. It is structured into trophic levels, each representing a position in the food chain based on an organism’s feeding habits. The primary producer level consists of autotrophic organisms like plants that synthesize their own food through photosynthesis. Herbivores occupy the next level, consuming plants as primary consumers. Carnivores, which feed on herbivores, make up the secondary consumer level. Tertiary consumers, such as apex predators, occupy the top trophic level. Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter at each level, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. This hierarchical arrangement illustrates the interconnectedness of organisms and their dependency on one another for energy transfer and ecological balance.