what is the usual composition of a food chain
(a) multiple producers and consumer
(b) a decomposer, some producers, and a consumer
(c) a decomposer, a producer, and some consumers
(d) a producer and multiple consumers
The correct answer is (c) a decomposer, a producer, and some consumers.
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms that shows the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to another. It represents the feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
In a typical food chain, there are three main components:
1. Primary producers: These are typically plants or algae that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. They are the base of the food chain, as they produce their own food.
2. Consumers: These are organisms that consume other organisms for energy. They can be classified into different trophic levels based on their feeding habits. For example, herbivores are primary consumers that eat plants, and carnivores are secondary or tertiary consumers that eat other animals.
3. Decomposers: These organisms break down dead organic matter and waste, returning nutrients to the ecosystem. Examples include bacteria, fungi, and some insects.
Therefore, a typical food chain consists of a decomposer (to break down dead matter), a producer (to convert sunlight into energy), and some consumers (to consume energy from other organisms).