Question

Differentiate between food chain and food web.

Answer 1

Hint: We know that all the living things, from microorganisms like viruses and bacteria to macro-organisms just like human beings and animals, require energy to do their regular task. To gain energy, these organisms need to intake food, which helps them grow and move. The term ‘food’ in both the phrases food chain and food web shows that they relate to organisms' food intake.

Complete answer:.
To know about the difference between the terms food chain and food web, let’s first know the definitions of the terms food chain and food web:
Food chain:
In an ecosystem, there is an order of events in which one living organism is predated by another organism, and further, this organism may be eaten by the other larger and stronger organism or may not be eaten at all.

Food web:
As we have known, there are a lot of specific interactions and relations between the organisms. These interactions also included the transportation of energy between the organisms. The energy which is produced by the producers is distributed all over the numerous living creatures. This transformation of energy between the organisms is coined as the food web.

Here are the differences between the food chain and food web:

FOOD CHAIN	FOOD WEB
The flow of energy in the organisms is shown by a linear pathway.	The flow of energy in the organisms is shown by a multitude of networks.
A specific creature of a low trophic level is fed by an organism of a higher-level trophic level.	Since many animals present in lower trophic levels, an organism of the higher trophic level can choose any of them.
There is no effect on the adaptability and competitiveness of organisms.	However, it plays a significant role in improving the adaptability and competitiveness of organisms.

Note: The word food chain is coined by scientist Jahiz. The word food web is coined by the scientist Charles Elton. The Food chain and food web have an interlinked bond between them. There are three trophic food chains in a simple food web. The mineral nutrient movement is cyclic whereas energy movement is noncyclic and unidirectional.