Food web' refers to

Options

A. transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next trophic level
B. unidirectional energy flow
C. capturing solar energy by autotrophs
D. connecting feeding pattern in a biotic community

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding the Concept of Food Web**:
- A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem. It illustrates how different food chains are interconnected.

2. **Definition of Food Web**:
- A food web can be defined as a natural interconnection of various food chains within a biotic community. It shows how energy and nutrients flow through different levels of the ecosystem.

3. **Components of a Food Web**:
- The food web consists of producers (like plants), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and tertiary consumers (top predators). Each organism plays a specific role in the ecosystem.

4. **Graphical Representation**:
- A food web can be represented graphically, showing which organisms eat which. This helps visualize the feeding relationships and energy flow within the ecosystem.

5. **Identifying the Correct Option**:
- Among the options provided, the correct answer is that a food web refers to "connecting feeding patterns in a biotic community." This option encapsulates the essence of what a food web represents.

### Final Answer:
Food web refers to connecting feeding patterns in a biotic community.

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