Simple Definition:

A food chain is a sequence of organisms [living things] in an ecosystem [a community of living things] where each organism eats the one before it and is eaten by the one after it. It shows how energy is transferred from one organism to another.

For example, in a simple food chain in a forest:

• Grass (low on the food chain) is eaten by a mouse.
• The mouse is eaten by a snake (higher on the food chain).
• The snake is eaten by an eagle (even higher on the food chain).

Very Simple Definition:

A food chain is a line of animals and plants where each one eats the one before it. It shows who eats whom.

For example, in a simple food chain in a forest:

• Grass is eaten by a mouse.
• The mouse is eaten by a snake.
• The snake is eaten by an eagle.