Differentiate between Food Chain and Food Web.

A food chain and a food web are both ecological concepts that illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems, but they differ in their complexity and representation of interactions.

Food Chain:
A food chain is a linear representation of the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to another in a straight, unidirectional sequence. It typically consists of three main trophic levels: producers (plants), primary consumers (herbivores), and secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores). Each link in the chain represents a feeding relationship, illustrating the transfer of energy as one organism is consumed by another. For example, grass (producer) is eaten by a rabbit (primary consumer), which is then consumed by a fox (secondary consumer).

Food Web:
A food web is a more complex and interconnected representation of feeding relationships within an ecosystem. It consists of multiple interconnected food chains, demonstrating the myriad ways in which organisms are linked through their consumption of various species. Food webs encompass a broader range of trophic levels and account for the intricate network of interactions among producers, consumers, and decomposers. This complexity allows for a more realistic depiction of the interdependence of species in an ecosystem, capturing the diversity of feeding relationships and illustrating the potential for multiple pathways of energy flow.