Question

2. How are a food chain and a food web different?

A. A food chain shows only one path of energy flow whereas a food web shows all the possible food chains in an ecosystem.
B. A food chain shows only one path of energy flow whereas a food web shows how much of the energy is transferred each time.
C. A food chain shows all the possible ways energy flows in an ecosystem whereas a food web shows only one path of energy flow.
D. A food chain shows how much energy is transferred in an ecosystem whereas a food web shows all the possible food chains.

Answer 1

The main difference between a food chain and a food web is that a food chain shows a single pathway of energy flow, while a food web illustrates multiple pathways by representing all possible food chains within an ecosystem. So the correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

A food chain and a food web both describe the energy transfer dynamics in an ecosystem. The difference between them lies in how they depict the feeding relationships and energy flow. A food chain shows a single pathway by which energy and matter flow through an ecosystem, representing a linear series of feeding interactions. In contrast, a food web displays multiple intersecting pathways, incorporating many food chains to illustrate a more complex and interrelated system, demonstrating that most organisms can eat and be eaten by more than one species.

• A food chain shows a single path of energy flow.
• A food web shows all the possible food chains and intersecting paths of energy flow within an ecosystem.

Hence, the correct answer to the question is A. A food chain shows only one path of energy flow, whereas a food web shows all the possible food chains in an ecosystem.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A.

A food chain shows only one path of energy flow whereas a food web shows all the possible food chains in an ecosystem.