🌍 Our Environment
Food Chain and Food Web | Class 10 Science | CBSE + Foundation + Competitive
🌍 Our Environment | Food Chain and Food Web
1. Introduction | परिचय
A food chain shows a linear sequence of organisms through which food and energy pass as one organism eats another.
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
हिंदी: खाद्य श्रृंखला जीवों की एक क्रमिक श्रृंखला है जिसमें एक जीव दूसरे जीव को खाता है और भोजन तथा ऊर्जा का स्थानांतरण होता है। अनेक खाद्य श्रृंखलाएँ आपस में जुड़कर खाद्य जाल बनाती हैं।
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
हिंदी: खाद्य श्रृंखला जीवों की एक क्रमिक श्रृंखला है जिसमें एक जीव दूसरे जीव को खाता है और भोजन तथा ऊर्जा का स्थानांतरण होता है। अनेक खाद्य श्रृंखलाएँ आपस में जुड़कर खाद्य जाल बनाती हैं।
☀ Sun → 🌱 Producer → 🐇 Primary Consumer → 🐸 Secondary Consumer → 🐍 Higher Consumer
Exam Point: A food chain mainly represents a single feeding pathway, whereas a food web represents several interconnected feeding pathways.
2. What is a Food Chain? | खाद्य श्रृंखला क्या है?
Definition:
A food chain is a sequence of organisms in which each organism serves as food for the next organism.
Example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
In this chain:
🌱 Grass = Producer
🦗 Grasshopper = Primary Consumer
🐸 Frog = Secondary Consumer
🐍 Snake = Higher Consumer
🦅 Eagle = Higher-level consumer
🌱 Grass = Producer
🦗 Grasshopper = Primary Consumer
🐸 Frog = Secondary Consumer
🐍 Snake = Higher Consumer
🦅 Eagle = Higher-level consumer
3. Main Components of a Food Chain
| Component | Role | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Producer | Prepares food and captures energy | Grass |
| Primary Consumer | Feeds directly on producer | Grasshopper |
| Secondary Consumer | Feeds on primary consumer | Frog |
| Higher Consumer | Feeds on lower consumers | Snake/Eagle |
| Decomposer | Breaks down dead organic matter | Bacteria/Fungi |
4. Trophic Levels | पोषण स्तर
Each step or position in a food chain is called a trophic level.
| Trophic Level | Organism | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Producer | Grass |
| 2nd | Primary Consumer | Grasshopper |
| 3rd | Secondary Consumer | Frog |
| 4th | Tertiary/Higher Consumer | Snake |
Remember:
1st Trophic Level → Producer
2nd → Primary Consumer
3rd → Secondary Consumer
4th → Tertiary Consumer
1st Trophic Level → Producer
2nd → Primary Consumer
3rd → Secondary Consumer
4th → Tertiary Consumer
5. Food Chain Diagram | खाद्य श्रृंखला
6. Direction of Arrow in a Food Chain
The arrow in a food chain represents the movement of food and energy from the organism being eaten to the organism that eats it.
Example:
Grass → Deer
The arrow points from grass to deer because deer obtains food and energy by eating grass.
Example:
Grass → Deer
The arrow points from grass to deer because deer obtains food and energy by eating grass.
Important: The arrow does not mean that the predator physically moves toward the prey. It represents transfer of food/energy.
7. Types of Food Chains | खाद्य श्रृंखला के प्रकार
1. Grazing Food Chain
Begins with living green plants.
Example:
Grass → Deer → Tiger
2. Detritus Food Chain
Begins with dead organic matter or detritus and involves decomposers/detritivores.
Example:
Dead leaves → Detritivores → Predators
Begins with living green plants.
Example:
Grass → Deer → Tiger
2. Detritus Food Chain
Begins with dead organic matter or detritus and involves decomposers/detritivores.
Example:
Dead leaves → Detritivores → Predators
8. Grazing Food Chain | चराई खाद्य श्रृंखला
A grazing food chain starts with living green plants or other photosynthetic producers.
Example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Most textbook examples of simple food chains begin with a producer and then proceed through consumers.
9. Detritus Food Chain | डेट्रिटस खाद्य श्रृंखला
A detritus food chain starts with dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead plant material.
Example:
Dead Leaves → Earthworm/Detritivore → Bird
Example:
Dead Leaves → Earthworm/Detritivore → Bird
Decomposers such as fungi and bacteria play an important role in decomposition and nutrient recycling associated with dead organic matter.
10. What is a Food Web? | खाद्य जाल क्या है?
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
हिंदी: किसी पारितंत्र में अनेक खाद्य श्रृंखलाओं के आपस में जुड़ने से बनने वाले नेटवर्क को खाद्य जाल (Food Web) कहते हैं।
हिंदी: किसी पारितंत्र में अनेक खाद्य श्रृंखलाओं के आपस में जुड़ने से बनने वाले नेटवर्क को खाद्य जाल (Food Web) कहते हैं।
Multiple Food Chains → Interconnected Network → Food Web
11. Food Web Diagram | खाद्य जाल
12. Food Chain vs Food Web
| Feature | Food Chain | Food Web |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Linear sequence | Network of interconnected chains |
| Feeding pathways | Usually one main pathway | Multiple pathways |
| Complexity | Relatively simple | More complex |
| Stability | Generally more vulnerable to disruption | Often provides alternative feeding pathways |
| Example | Grass → Deer → Tiger | Multiple chains connected through shared organisms |
13. Why is a Food Web More Realistic?
In nature, organisms usually do not depend on only one food source. An organism may eat several types of food and may itself be eaten by several predators.
Therefore, actual ecosystems are better represented by food webs rather than isolated food chains.
14. Interdependence in a Food Web
Suppose a food web contains:
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle
Here, several organisms participate in more than one feeding relationship.
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle
Here, several organisms participate in more than one feeding relationship.
15. What Happens if One Organism Decreases?
A change in the population of one organism can affect several other organisms connected to it.
For example, if the population of grass decreases:
• Herbivores may have less food.
• Herbivore populations may decline.
• Predators may then have fewer prey.
• Several connected feeding relationships may be affected.
For example, if the population of grass decreases:
• Herbivores may have less food.
• Herbivore populations may decline.
• Predators may then have fewer prey.
• Several connected feeding relationships may be affected.
16. What Happens if a Predator is Removed?
Removal of a predator can increase the population of its prey. Increased prey populations may then consume more producers.
This can create changes at multiple trophic levels.
This type of indirect effect shows why organisms in a food web are interdependent.
17. Energy Flow Through a Food Chain
☀ Sun
↓
🌱 Producers
↓
🐇 Primary Consumers
↓
🐍 Secondary/Higher Consumers
↓
🌱 Producers
↓
🐇 Primary Consumers
↓
🐍 Secondary/Higher Consumers
Energy enters most ecosystems through producers. At each trophic transfer, only a fraction of the available energy reaches the next trophic level.
18. Ten Percent Law | दस प्रतिशत नियम
Approximately 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level.
Producer = 1000 J
↓
Primary Consumer ≈ 100 J
↓
Secondary Consumer ≈ 10 J
↓
Tertiary Consumer ≈ 1 J
↓
Primary Consumer ≈ 100 J
↓
Secondary Consumer ≈ 10 J
↓
Tertiary Consumer ≈ 1 J
The 10% figure is a useful ecological rule taught at this level; actual energy transfer efficiencies vary among ecosystems and organisms.
19. Food Chain and Decomposers
When organisms die, their remains become dead organic matter. Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down this material and return nutrients to the environment.
Thus, decomposers are connected with every trophic level because organisms from different levels eventually contribute dead organic matter.
Thus, decomposers are connected with every trophic level because organisms from different levels eventually contribute dead organic matter.
Living Organisms
↓
Dead Organic Matter
↓
Decomposers
↓
Nutrients
↓
Environment / Producers
↓
Dead Organic Matter
↓
Decomposers
↓
Nutrients
↓
Environment / Producers
20. Food Chain and Food Web – Important Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Food Chain | Linear feeding sequence |
| Food Web | Interconnected food chains |
| Trophic Level | Position of an organism in a food chain |
| Producer | Organism that generally makes its own food |
| Primary Consumer | Feeds directly on producers |
| Secondary Consumer | Feeds mainly on primary consumers |
| Decomposer | Breaks down dead organic matter |
| Energy Flow | Transfer of energy through trophic levels |
21. 30 MCQs | Multiple Choice Questions
1. A food chain represents:
A. A linear feeding relationship
B. Only decomposition
C. Only water movement
D. Only population growth
Answer: A
2. Which is the correct food chain?
A. Tiger → Grass → Deer
B. Grass → Deer → Tiger
C. Deer → Grass → Tiger
D. Tiger → Deer → Grass
Answer: B
3. The first trophic level is occupied by:
A. Primary consumers
B. Secondary consumers
C. Producers
D. Decomposers
Answer: C
4. A food web is:
A. A single organism
B. A network of interconnected food chains
C. A water cycle
D. A single food chain only
Answer: B
5. In Grass → Deer → Tiger, deer is:
A. Producer
B. Primary consumer
C. Secondary consumer
D. Decomposer
Answer: B
6. In Grass → Grasshopper → Frog, frog is:
A. Producer
B. Primary consumer
C. Secondary consumer
D. Decomposer
Answer: C
7. The arrow in a food chain generally represents:
A. Movement of soil
B. Direction of food and energy transfer
C. Direction of wind
D. Movement of water
Answer: B
8. Which is a producer?
A. Grass
B. Frog
C. Snake
D. Eagle
Answer: A
9. A food web contains:
A. One feeding pathway only
B. Several interconnected feeding pathways
C. Only producers
D. Only decomposers
Answer: B
10. Which food chain starts with a producer?
A. Tiger → Deer → Grass
B. Grass → Rabbit → Fox
C. Snake → Frog → Grass
D. Eagle → Snake → Frog
Answer: B
11. A food chain generally shows:
A. Feeding relationships
B. Only reproduction
C. Only respiration
D. Only decomposition
Answer: A
12. Which term describes the position of an organism in a food chain?
A. Habitat
B. Trophic level
C. Population
D. Community
Answer: B
13. Which is generally more complex?
A. Food chain
B. Food web
C. Single organism
D. Producer only
Answer: B
14. Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake contains how many trophic levels?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Answer: C
15. The energy entering most ecosystems initially comes from:
A. Moon
B. Sun
C. Soil
D. Decomposers
Answer: B
16. Approximately what fraction of energy is transferred to the next trophic level?
A. 10%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 90%
Answer: A
17. A grazing food chain starts with:
A. Dead matter
B. Living producers
C. Decomposers
D. Carnivores
Answer: B
18. A detritus food chain starts with:
A. Living tiger
B. Green grass only
C. Dead organic matter
D. Sunlight only
Answer: C
19. Which organisms are important decomposers?
A. Bacteria and fungi
B. Deer and rabbit
C. Tiger and lion
D. Grass and algae
Answer: A
20. Which statement is correct?
A. Food webs have only one feeding pathway
B. Food chains can form part of food webs
C. Food chains contain no consumers
D. Food webs contain no producers
Answer: B
21. If grass decreases greatly, which organisms may be directly affected?
A. Herbivores
B. Sun
C. Soil minerals only
D. Clouds
Answer: A
22. Removal of a predator may initially cause:
A. An increase in some prey populations
B. Immediate disappearance of producers
C. No ecological effect ever
D. Creation of sunlight
Answer: A
23. Which is an example of a food web component?
A. An organism participating in several feeding relationships
B. Only sunlight
C. Only soil
D. Only rainfall
Answer: A
24. Energy flow in an ecosystem is generally:
A. Cyclic
B. Unidirectional
C. Random only
D. Completely reversible
Answer: B
25. Which sequence shows correct energy transfer?
A. Tiger → Grass → Sun
B. Sun → Grass → Deer
C. Deer → Grass → Sun
D. Snake → Frog → Grass
Answer: B
26. The main difference between a food chain and a food web is:
A. Food chain is linear; food web is interconnected
B. Food chain has no producers
C. Food web has no consumers
D. Both are exactly identical
Answer: A
27. Which organism can occur in more than one food chain?
A. A consumer with multiple food sources
B. Only the Sun
C. Only soil
D. No organism
Answer: A
28. Nutrients from dead organisms are returned to the environment mainly through:
A. Decomposition
B. Predation only
C. Photosynthesis only
D. Transpiration only
Answer: A
29. A food web generally makes an ecosystem:
A. More interconnected
B. Completely independent
C. Free from all changes
D. Without producers
Answer: A
30. Which statement is most appropriate?
A. A food chain represents one main feeding pathway
B. A food web contains only one organism
C. Energy increases at every trophic level
D. Decomposers are unrelated to food webs
Answer: A
22. 30 Subjective Questions with Answers
2 Marks
Q1. What is a food chain?
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms in which food and energy pass from one organism to another through feeding.
2 Marks
Q2. What is a food web?
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains present in an ecosystem.
2 Marks
Q3. What is a trophic level?
The position occupied by an organism in a food chain is called its trophic level.
2 Marks
Q4. Give one example of a food chain.
Grass → Deer → Tiger.
2 Marks
Q5. What does an arrow in a food chain indicate?
It indicates the direction of transfer of food and energy from the organism being eaten to the organism that eats it.
3 Marks
Q6. Differentiate between food chain and food web.
A food chain is a single linear feeding pathway, whereas a food web consists of several interconnected food chains and therefore has multiple feeding pathways.
3 Marks
Q7. What are trophic levels? Give their sequence.
Trophic levels are positions in a food chain. The usual sequence is producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer → tertiary/higher consumer.
3 Marks
Q8. Why is grass placed at the beginning of the food chain Grass → Deer → Tiger?
Grass is a producer. It captures solar energy and prepares food. Deer obtains food from grass and tiger obtains food from deer.
3 Marks
Q9. What is a grazing food chain?
A grazing food chain begins with living green producers and proceeds through herbivores and higher consumers.
3 Marks
Q10. What is a detritus food chain?
A detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and involves organisms that feed on or decompose this material.
4 Marks
Q11. Explain the importance of food chains in an ecosystem.
Food chains show feeding relationships, transfer of energy between organisms and the sequence of trophic levels. They help us understand how organisms depend on one another.
4 Marks
Q12. Explain the importance of food webs.
Food webs represent multiple feeding relationships. They show the interdependence of organisms and provide a more realistic representation of feeding interactions in an ecosystem.
4 Marks
Q13. Explain the role of decomposers in a food web.
Decomposers break down dead organisms and organic wastes from different trophic levels. They return nutrients to the environment and therefore support nutrient cycling.
4 Marks
Q14. Explain the four trophic levels of a simple food chain.
The first level contains producers. The second contains primary consumers. The third contains secondary consumers. The fourth may contain tertiary or higher consumers.
4 Marks
Q15. Why are food webs generally more realistic than simple food chains?
Organisms generally have more than one food source and may have several predators. Therefore, feeding relationships in nature are interconnected rather than strictly linear.
5 Marks
Q16. Explain the flow of energy through a food chain.
Energy enters most ecosystems through sunlight captured by producers. It passes to primary consumers, then to secondary and higher consumers. At each trophic transfer, much of the energy is used in life processes and dissipated as heat, so only a fraction reaches the next level.
5 Marks
Q17. Explain the ten percent law.
The ten percent law states that approximately 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. For example, 1000 J at the producer level may provide about 100 J to primary consumers and about 10 J to secondary consumers.
5 Marks
Q18. Explain how a food web is formed.
Different food chains in an ecosystem share organisms. When these chains intersect through common producers or consumers, they form an interconnected network called a food web.
5 Marks
Q19. Explain the effect of removing one species from a food web.
Removing one species can affect organisms that depend on it for food and organisms that it normally consumes. Because a food web contains interconnected relationships, the effect may spread to several trophic levels.
5 Marks
Q20. Differentiate between grazing and detritus food chains.
A grazing food chain begins with living producers such as green plants. A detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter such as fallen leaves. The two chains therefore differ in their starting material.
6 Marks
Q21. Explain food chain, trophic levels and energy flow together.
A food chain represents a sequence of organisms linked through feeding. Each position is called a trophic level, beginning with producers. Energy enters through producers and passes to consumers. The available energy decreases at successive trophic levels because organisms use energy for life processes and much is dissipated as heat.
6 Marks
Q22. Describe a food web with a suitable example.
A food web consists of several interconnected food chains. For example, grass may be eaten by grasshoppers, rabbits and mice. Grasshoppers may be eaten by frogs, mice by snakes and rabbits by foxes. Snakes may be eaten by eagles. Such interconnected feeding relationships form a food web.
6 Marks
Q23. Explain why food webs increase interdependence among organisms.
In a food web, one organism may have several food sources and several predators. Therefore, a change in one population can influence multiple other populations. This creates a network of interdependence.
6 Marks
Q24. Explain the role of decomposers in maintaining an ecosystem.
Decomposers break down dead organisms and organic wastes. They convert complex organic matter into simpler substances and release nutrients back into the environment. These nutrients can then be used by producers, maintaining nutrient cycling.
6 Marks
Q25. Why does energy decrease at successive trophic levels?
Organisms use energy for respiration, movement, growth, maintenance and other life processes. A significant part of energy is dissipated as heat. Consequently, only a fraction of energy is available for transfer to the next trophic level.
6 Marks
Q26. Explain what may happen if producers decline sharply in an ecosystem.
Primary consumers would have less food and their population could decline. Secondary and higher consumers would subsequently face reduced prey availability. Energy entering the food web would also decrease, disturbing the ecosystem.
6 Marks
Q27. Explain why arrows in a food chain are important.
Arrows show the direction in which food and energy are transferred. For example, Grass → Deer means deer obtains food and energy by feeding on grass. Thus arrows help identify feeding relationships and trophic direction.
6 Marks
Q28. Explain the difference between energy flow and nutrient cycling.
Energy enters an ecosystem mainly through sunlight and flows through trophic levels, with energy ultimately dissipated as heat. Nutrients are recycled between organisms and the physical environment through processes such as decomposition.
6 Marks
Q29. Why can a food web provide greater ecological stability than a simple food chain?
A food web provides alternative feeding pathways. If one food source becomes unavailable, some consumers may use another available food source. This can reduce the impact of a single change, although food webs can still be significantly disturbed.
6 Marks
Q30. Write a detailed note on food chains and food webs.
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which food and energy pass. It starts with a producer and continues through different consumers. Each position is a trophic level. A food web consists of interconnected food chains and represents the more complex feeding relationships found in natural ecosystems. Decomposers act on dead organic matter and recycle nutrients. Energy flows through the system, while nutrients are recycled.
23. Assertion–Reason Questions
Assertion (A): A food web consists of several interconnected food chains.
Reason (R): Organisms in an ecosystem may have more than one food source and more than one predator.
Reason (R): Organisms in an ecosystem may have more than one food source and more than one predator.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Assertion (A): Producers occupy the first trophic level.
Reason (R): Producers capture energy and prepare food.
Reason (R): Producers capture energy and prepare food.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Assertion (A): The arrow Grass → Deer indicates energy transfer from deer to grass.
Reason (R): Arrows in food chains point from the food organism to the organism that obtains it.
Reason (R): Arrows in food chains point from the food organism to the organism that obtains it.
Answer: Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Assertion (A): Energy decreases at successive trophic levels.
Reason (R): Organisms use energy for life processes and much energy is dissipated as heat.
Reason (R): Organisms use energy for life processes and much energy is dissipated as heat.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Assertion (A): Food webs are generally more complex than food chains.
Reason (R): A food web contains multiple interconnected feeding pathways.
Reason (R): A food web contains multiple interconnected feeding pathways.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
24. HOTS | Higher Order Thinking Questions
HOTS 1: Why can removal of one species affect several other species in a food web?
Because one species may serve as food for several organisms and may also consume several organisms. Its removal can therefore alter multiple feeding relationships.
HOTS 2: If grasshoppers suddenly decrease in number, what may happen to frogs?
Frogs that depend significantly on grasshoppers as prey may face reduced food availability, potentially affecting their population.
HOTS 3: Why is a food web less likely than a single food chain to be completely dependent on one feeding pathway?
A food web contains multiple feeding pathways. Some organisms may have alternative food sources, so one disrupted pathway may not eliminate all available feeding options.
HOTS 4: Why are long food chains generally less efficient in energy transfer?
Only a fraction of energy passes to each successive trophic level. Therefore, available energy becomes progressively smaller along a longer chain.
HOTS 5: Why are top consumers usually fewer in number than producers in an ecosystem?
Energy available decreases at successive trophic levels. Less energy is available to support organisms at higher trophic levels, limiting their biomass and population size in many ecosystems.
25. Important Exam Diagrams
Diagram 1 – Simple Food Chain
☀ Sun → 🌱 Grass → 🦌 Deer → 🐅 Tiger
Diagram 2 – Food Web
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Grass → Mouse → Snake
Diagram 3 – Trophic Levels
Producer → Primary Consumer → Secondary Consumer → Tertiary Consumer
☀ Sun → 🌱 Grass → 🦌 Deer → 🐅 Tiger
Diagram 2 – Food Web
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Grass → Mouse → Snake
Diagram 3 – Trophic Levels
Producer → Primary Consumer → Secondary Consumer → Tertiary Consumer
26. Golden Points | परीक्षा के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
✔ Food chain = linear feeding pathway.
✔ Food web = interconnected food chains.
✔ Producers occupy the first trophic level.
✔ Primary consumers generally feed on producers.
✔ Secondary consumers generally feed on primary consumers.
✔ Arrows show direction of food and energy transfer.
✔ Energy flow is generally unidirectional.
✔ Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level as a textbook rule.
✔ Food webs show greater complexity and interdependence.
✔ Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organic matter.
✔ Food web = interconnected food chains.
✔ Producers occupy the first trophic level.
✔ Primary consumers generally feed on producers.
✔ Secondary consumers generally feed on primary consumers.
✔ Arrows show direction of food and energy transfer.
✔ Energy flow is generally unidirectional.
✔ Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level as a textbook rule.
✔ Food webs show greater complexity and interdependence.
✔ Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organic matter.
27. One-Minute Revision
Food Chain
→ One main feeding pathway
Food Web → Many interconnected food chains
1st Trophic Level → Producer
2nd → Primary Consumer
3rd → Secondary Consumer
Arrow → Direction of food/energy transfer
Energy → Decreases at successive trophic levels
Decomposers → Recycle nutrients
Food Web → Many interconnected food chains
1st Trophic Level → Producer
2nd → Primary Consumer
3rd → Secondary Consumer
Arrow → Direction of food/energy transfer
Energy → Decreases at successive trophic levels
Decomposers → Recycle nutrients
28. Concept Map | अवधारणा मानचित्र
29. Final Summary
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which food and energy are transferred.
A food web is formed when several food chains become interconnected.
The first trophic level is occupied by producers. Primary, secondary and higher consumers occupy successive trophic levels.
Arrows show the direction of food and energy transfer.
Only a fraction of energy passes to each successive trophic level; the commonly taught value is about 10%.
Decomposers act on dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.
Quick Memory Trick:
🌱 Producer → Makes Food
🐇 Consumer → Takes Food
🍄 Decomposer → Breaks Down
Food Chain = One Pathway
Food Web = Many Connected Pathways
A food web is formed when several food chains become interconnected.
The first trophic level is occupied by producers. Primary, secondary and higher consumers occupy successive trophic levels.
Arrows show the direction of food and energy transfer.
Only a fraction of energy passes to each successive trophic level; the commonly taught value is about 10%.
Decomposers act on dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.
Quick Memory Trick:
🌱 Producer → Makes Food
🐇 Consumer → Takes Food
🍄 Decomposer → Breaks Down
Food Chain = One Pathway
Food Web = Many Connected Pathways
🌍 Class 10 Science | Our Environment
Food Chain • Food Web • Trophic Levels • Energy Flow • Ten Percent Law • Decomposers
CBSE + Foundation + Competitive Preparation
Food Chain • Food Web • Trophic Levels • Energy Flow • Ten Percent Law • Decomposers
CBSE + Foundation + Competitive Preparation
