Phenomena and Processes

Food Chain

The sequence of transfers of matter and energy from organism to organism in the form of FOOD. Food chains intertwine locally into a food web because most organisms consume more than one type of animal or plant. PLANTS, which convert SOLAR ENERGY to food by PHOTOSYNTHESIS, are the primary food source. In a predator chain, a plant-eating animal is eaten by a larger animal. In a parasite chain, a smaller organism consumes part of a larger host and may itself be parasitized by smaller organisms. In a saprophytic chain, microorganisms live on dead organic matter.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The sequence of transfers of matter and energy from organism to organism in the form of FOOD. Food chains intertwine locally into a food web because most organisms consume more than one type of animal or plant. PLANTS, which convert SOLAR ENERGY to food by PHOTOSYNTHESIS, are the primary food source. In a predator chain, a plant-eating animal is eaten by a larger animal. In a parasite chain, a smaller organism consumes part of a larger host and may itself be parasitized by smaller organisms. In a saprophytic chain, microorganisms live on dead organic matter.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

19 entry terms
  • Chain, Food
  • Chains, Food
  • Food Chains
  • Food Web
  • Parasite Chain
  • Predator Chain
  • Saprophytic Chain
  • Chain, Parasite
  • Chain, Predator
  • Chain, Saprophytic
  • Chains, Parasite
  • Chains, Predator
  • Chains, Saprophytic
  • Food Webs
  • Parasite Chains
  • Predator Chains
  • Saprophytic Chains
  • Web, Food
  • Webs, Food

MeSH Record

History Note

1999

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G16.500.275w.157w.250w
  2. N06.230w.124w.250w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Food Chain. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D020387. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D020387
  2. Food Chain. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain
  3. Food Chain. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159462