Final answer:
In a food chain, matter cycles through living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. It starts with producers converting energy from the sun into food, which is then consumed by primary consumers. The transfer of energy and matter continues with secondary and tertiary consumers, until decomposers break down remains and return matter to the nonliving part of the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a food chain, matter cycles from living to nonliving and back to living again. It starts with producers, such as plants, that convert energy from the sun into food through photosynthesis. The producers are then consumed by primary consumers, which are herbivores that eat the plants. The primary consumers are then consumed by secondary consumers, which can be omnivores or carnivores. This transfer of energy and matter continues with tertiary consumers consuming the secondary consumers. Eventually, decomposers break down the remains of dead organisms, returning the matter to the nonliving part of the ecosystem where it can be reused by producers.
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