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Multiple Choice
Food chains show the flow of what through an ecosystem?
A
Oxygen
B
Minerals
C
Water
D
Energy
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of a food chain. A food chain represents the transfer of energy from one organism to another within an ecosystem, starting from producers (like plants) to consumers (like herbivores and carnivores).
Step 2: Recognize that energy is the primary factor being transferred in a food chain. Producers convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, which is then passed on to consumers.
Step 3: Clarify why oxygen, minerals, and water are not the correct answers. While these elements are essential for life, they are not the primary focus of energy transfer in a food chain.
Step 4: Understand the role of energy in sustaining life processes. Energy flows through trophic levels, starting with producers, then primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on, until it is dissipated as heat.
Step 5: Conclude that food chains illustrate the flow of energy through an ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of energy transfer in maintaining ecological balance.