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food chain

[ food cheyn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Ecology. a series of organisms interrelated in their feeding habits, the smallest being fed upon by a larger one, which in turn feeds a still larger one, etc.
the chain from a food source to the ultimate consumer.
a hierarchy ranked by status, importance, influence, etc.:
people who are high up on the political and media food chain.

food chain

noun

ecology a sequence of organisms in an ecosystem in which each species is the food of the next member of the chain
informal.
the hierarchy in an organization or society

food chain

The sequence of the transfer of food energy from one organism to another in an ecological community. A food chain begins with a producer , usually a green plant or alga that creates its own food through photosynthesis. In the typical predatory food chain, producers are eaten by primary consumers (herbivores) which are eaten by secondary consumers (carnivores), some of which may in turn be eaten by tertiary consumers (the top carnivore in the chain).
◆ Many species of animals in an ecological community feed on both plants and animals and thus play multiple roles in the chain. Parasites feed on living tissues, generally without killing their hosts, and may themselves be hosts to smaller parasites. In addition, organisms that die without being eaten are consumed by detritivores, some of which serve as prey for other consumers. The complex system of interrelated food chains in an environment is known as a food web.
See more at trophic level

food chain

The series of steps by which energy is obtained, used, and transformed by living things. For example: sunlight helps grain to grow, the grain feeds cattle, and humans eat the cattle.

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Notes

Harmful chemicals can become concentrated as they move up the food chain.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of food chain¹

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As they grow, they can sap the water of oxygen, killing marine life and harming commercial fisheries, and poison the food chain for animals such as sea lions.

From

Agent Orange barrels were stored at the base, which leaked large amounts of the toxin into soil and water, where it continues to accumulate in animal tissue as it moves up the food chain.

From

Fast food chain Wendy's posted on social media, "Can we send her back", before adding several days later that they had "a ton of respect for Katy Perry and her out-of-this-world-talent".

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San Diego-based fast food chain Jack in the Box announced plans this week to close 150 to 200 locations as part of a broader strategy to improve long-term finances.

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Royal Perk account holders can purchase a cheeseburger for 1 cent with any $1 purchase at the fast food chain through April 20.

From

food body food coma

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