food chain refers to the sequence of events in an ecosystem, where one organism eats another and then is eaten by another organism. It starts with the primary source like the sun or hydrothermal vents where producers make food, continues with consumers or animals who eat the food, and ends with the top predator

In a forest ecosystem, grass is eaten by a deer, which in turn is eaten by a tiger. The grass, deer and tiger form a food chain (Figure 8.2). In this food chain, energy flows from the grass (producer) to the deer (primary consumer) to the tiger (secondary consumer).

Also, a food chain represents a series of events in which food and energy are transferred from one organism in an ecosystem to another. Food chains show how energy is passed from the sun to producers, from producers to consumers, and from consumers to decomposers. They also show how animals depend on other organisms for food.^[2]

In any ecosystem, many food chains overlap. Different food chains may include some of the same organisms. Several consumers may eat the same kind of plant or animal for food. When this happens, the food chain forms a food web. A food web shows how food chains are related within an ecosystem.

   

•Plants are called producers because they create their own food through photosynthesis

•Animals are consumers because they cannot create their own food, they must eat plants or other animals to get the energy that they need.