Final answer:
In the given scenario, the lion is the predator and the gazelle is the prey, depicting a classic example of a predator-prey relationship which is fundamental to energy transfer within ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario described, the lion is the predator and the gazelle is the prey. Predation involves a predator-prey relationship where the predator is an organism that hunts, captures, kills, and consumes another organism—its prey. The lion, as a carnivore, actively hunts and kills the gazelle for food, which is an example of true predation.
This predator-prey relationship is crucial for the energy transfer within food chains and food webs. Predators can possess various traits such as camouflage, speed, and heightened senses to effectively hunt their prey, while prey species have evolved various defensive mechanisms to avoid becoming a meal.