Why is a food web a BETTER model than a food chain?
A. It shows all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
B. It is more complex and more difficult to read.
C. It is simpler and easier to read.
D. It is not better, they are equally complex.
The correct answer is A. It shows all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
A food web is a diagram that represents the interconnected feeding relationships among different organisms in an ecosystem. It consists of multiple food chains that are linked together to show the transfer of energy and nutrients between organisms. Unlike a food chain, which only represents a linear sequence of who eats whom, a food web provides a more comprehensive view of all the feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
To answer this question, we can eliminate options B and C based on the information provided. While it is true that a food web can be more complex than a food chain, this complexity does not make it a better model. Similarly, although a food web can be simpler and easier to read than a food chain in some cases, simplicity alone does not make it a better model.
Option D suggests that food webs and food chains are equally complex, but this is not accurate. A food web encompasses all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem, making it a more complete and accurate representation than a food chain.
Therefore, the best answer is A. A food web is a better model than a food chain because it shows all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem.