Food Chain

Synonyms

Chain, Food

Chain, Parasite

Chain, Predator

Chain, Saprophytic

Chains, Food

Chains, Parasite

Chains, Predator

Chains, Saprophytic

Food Chains

Food Web

Food Webs

Parasite Chain

Parasite Chains

Predator Chain

Predator Chains

Saprophytic Chain

Saprophytic Chains

Web, Food

Webs, Food

The sequence of transfers of matter and energy from organism to organism in the form of FOOD. Food chains intertwine locally into a food web because most organisms consume more than one type of animal or plant. PLANTS, which convert SOLAR ENERGY to food by PHOTOSYNTHESIS, are the primary food source. In a predator chain, a plant-eating animal is eaten by a larger animal. In a parasite chain, a smaller organism consumes part of a larger host and may itself be parasitized by smaller organisms. In a saprophytic chain, microorganisms live on dead organic matter.