A food chain describes how energy and matter move between organisms in an ecosystem. It typically consists of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and decomposers. Producers, such as plants and algae, use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into food. Primary consumers eat producers. Secondary consumers eat primary consumers, and tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers or other tertiary consumers. Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down the remains of dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil or water.

1. FOOD CHAINS

2. ELEMENTS IN A FOOD CHAIN:
The Sun
5. Decomposers
4. Tertiary consumers
1. Producers
2. Primary consumers
3. Secondary consumers

3. The Sun
It is a form of energy
that produces light
and heat.

4. 1. Producers
Plants and algae are producers. They make their
own food through photosynthesis. Plants and
algae are eaten by consumers.

5. Consumers
Consumers feed on producers (plants
and algae). There are three types:
- Primary consumers.
- Secondary consumers.
- Tertiary consumers.

6. 2. Primary consumers
Primary consumers are herbivores that eat
producers.

7. Secondary consumers are carnivores and
omnivores that eat primary consumers.
3. Secondary consumers

8. 4. Tertiary consumers
Tertiary consumers are carnivores and omnivores
that eat secondary consumers.

9. Tertiary consumer hunting a secondary
consumer.

10. Decomposers are fungi and bacteria. They feed on
the remains of other living things.
5. Decomposers

11. Example of food chain 1
The plant (producer)
makes its own food using
water, minerals and
sunlight.
The remains of the
snake are transformed
into minerals that go to
the soil. Plants will
absorb them.
Decomposers feed
on the remains of
the snake.
The snake (tertiary
consumer) eats the
frog.
The frog (secondary
consumer) eats the
butterfly.
The butterfly (primary
consumer) feeds on the
plant.

12. Example of food chain 2
The plant (producer)
makes its own food using
water, minerals and
sunlight.
The remains of the lion
are transformed into
minerals that go to the
soil. Plants will absorb
them.
Decomposers feed
on the remains of
the lion.
The lion (tertiary
consumer) eats the
hyena.
The hyena
(secondary
consumer) eats the
zebra.
The zebra (primary
consumer) feeds on the
plant.

13. Sometimes, a tertiary consumer can
eat another tertiary consumer...

14. Example of food chain 3
The plant (producer)
makes its own food using
water, minerals and
sunlight.
The remains of the
vulture are transformed
into minerals that go to
the soil. Plants will
absorb them.
Decomposers feed
on the remains of
the vulture.
The lion (tertiary
consumer) eats the
hyena.
The hyena
(secondary
consumer) eats the
zebra.
The zebra (primary
consumer) feeds on the
plant.
The vulture (tertiary
consumer) eats the
lion (when it has died).

15. Example of food chain 4
Algae (producers) make
their own food using
water, minerals and
sunlight.
The remains of the shark
are transformed into
minerals that go to the
water. Algae will absorb
them.
Decomposers feed
on the remains of
the shark.
The shark (tertiary
consumer) eats the
dolphin.
The dolphin
(secondary
consumer) eats the
sardine.
The sardine (primary
consumer) feeds on algae.

16. Example of food chain 5
Algae (producers) make
their own food using
water, minerals and
sunlight.
Decomposers feed
on the remains of
the person.
This person
(tertiary consumer)
eats the tuna fish.
The tuna fish
(secondary
consumer) eats the
krill.
Krill (primary consumers)
feed on the plant.