Food Chains and Food Webs?

Question

How are food chains and food webs related to each other?

Answer 1

Both food chains and food webs are very similar. However:

A food chain is just a linear path (one line) that shows how organisms obtain energy and food; it shows one thing of what they eat and one thing of what they are eaten by.

A food web, on the other hand, is basically a whole bunch of interconnected food chains. It still shows how energy is passed on through each level, but it is more specific, complex, and shows multiple branches each level; it shows multiple other organisms that eat or get eaten by still other organisms.

So, a bunch of food chains are put together to make one food web.

The below website has some good pictures to help you see the relationship if you click the link underneath the explanations of food chains and food webs, which could also be helpful.