A:
a portion of a food chain
B:
consumers and decomposers
C:
inter-connected food chains
D:
a set of similar producers
Explanation
The correct answer is (c) inter-connected food chains.
In an ecosystem, a food web consists of inter-connected food chains. A food chain is a linear sequence that depicts the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to another in a specific direction. However, a food web is a more complex representation that shows the interconnections between multiple food chains within an ecosystem.
A food web includes various interconnected food chains that illustrate the transfer of energy and nutrients among different organisms. It shows how different organisms, including producers (such as plants), consumers (such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores), and decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi), are linked together through their feeding relationships. These interconnections demonstrate the flow of energy and the transfer of matter within an ecosystem.
By including multiple food chains, a food web provides a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions and relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, highlighting the intricate dynamics of energy flow and nutrient cycling.
