Differentiate between food chain and food web. In a food chain consisting of deer, grass and tiger, if the po…

Question

Differentiate between food chain and food web. In a food chain consisting of deer, grass and tiger, if the population of deer decreases, what will happen to the population of organisms belonging to the first and third trophic levels ?

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer **Food Chain vs Food Web:** | Food Chain | Food Web | |---|---| | A single linear sequence of organisms where each feeds on the one before it. | A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. | | Simple and less stable. | Complex and more stable. | **Effect of decrease in deer population:** The food chain is: **Grass → Deer → Tiger** - **First trophic level (Grass):** Population of grass will **increase**, as fewer deer are present to consume it. - **Third trophic level (Tiger):** Population of tiger will **decrease**, as their primary food source (deer) has reduced. *Source: Our Environment, Section 13.1.1* --- ## Explanation - Examiners expect a clear distinction between food chain and food web — one mark for differentiation. - For the second part, correctly identify grass as 1st trophic level and tiger as 3rd trophic level — this is a common error students make. - State the effect on **both** trophic levels with brief reasoning (1 mark each). - A simple ta…

Science (086) — CBSE Class 10 board question