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Multiple Choice
How does a food web differ from a food chain in an ecological context?
A
A food web is a representation of energy flow in aquatic ecosystems, while a food chain is used for terrestrial ecosystems.
B
A food web only includes herbivores and carnivores, while a food chain includes all trophic levels.
C
A food web consists of multiple interconnected food chains, while a food chain is a single linear pathway of energy flow.
D
A food web is a simplified version of a food chain, showing only the primary producers and top predators.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic definitions: A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another. A food web, on the other hand, is a complex network of many interconnected food chains and feeding relationships.
Recognize the ecological context: Both food chains and food webs are used to describe energy flow and feeding relationships in ecosystems, whether terrestrial or aquatic.
Identify the components: A food chain typically includes a single pathway of energy flow, starting from a primary producer and moving up to various consumers. A food web includes multiple pathways and shows how different food chains are interconnected.
Consider the complexity: A food web is more complex and realistic than a food chain because it reflects the multiple feeding relationships that occur in an ecosystem, including omnivores and organisms that occupy multiple trophic levels.
Clarify misconceptions: A food web is not a simplified version of a food chain; rather, it is a more comprehensive representation that includes all trophic levels and interactions, not just primary producers and top predators.