Final answer:
The transfer of food energy from photosynthetic organisms through herbivores and carnivores is called energy flow or energy transfer in an ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transfer of food energy from photosynthetic organisms through herbivores and carnivores is called energy flow or energy transfer in an ecosystem.
This energy flow starts with plants, which are producers and convert sunlight into glucose through the process of photosynthesis. The glucose is then used by the plants for their own energy needs and the excess energy is transferred to herbivores when they consume the plants.
When herbivores are consumed by carnivores, the energy is further transferred through the food chain. This process continues until the energy eventually reaches decomposers, which break down dead organisms and release nutrients back into the ecosystem.