Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

food chain

noun

/fuːd tʃeɪn/

Definition

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Examples

In a simple food chain, grass is eaten by rabbits, which in turn are eaten by foxes.
The disruption of the food chain can lead to overpopulation or extinction of certain species.
Understanding the food chain helps scientists study ecosystem dynamics.

Meaning

The series of processes by which energy and nutrients are transferred from one organism to another in an ecosystem, starting with producers and moving to various levels of consumers.