Name: Balance in Nature
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 55 s
Description: The future of humans is doomed if immediate action is not taken. Environmental balance is the only way humans can prevent disaster. Watch and learn about env...

Question

(a) Why do food chains have 3 or 4 steps only?
(b) How does a food chain differ from a food web?

Accepted Answer

(a) Only 10% of energy is transferred by a trophic level to the next trophic level therefore, a small amount of energy is available to the consumers. As, after 3 or 4 steps the energy available is negligible, therefore, food chains have 3-4 step only.

(b)

Characteristics Food chain Food web

Definition The food chain is a simple unidirectional food relationship between eating and being eaten. Many food chains are interconnected in a web-like manner to form a food web.

Characteristics Food chain Food web

Way of food transfer The food is transferred in a linear fashion (Straight line). Usually, there are 3 - 4 trophic levels. The food is transferred in a zig-zag manner. This provides alternate pathways of food availability.

(a) Why do food chains have 3 or 4 steps only?
(b) How does a food chain differ from a food web?

Important Questions on Our Environment

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !

(a) Why do food chains have 3 or 4 steps only? (b) How does a food chain differ from a food web?

Important Questions on Our Environment

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !

(a) Why do food chains have 3 or 4 steps only?
(b) How does a food chain differ from a food web?