What is an example of energy transfer in a food chain?

In a food chain, energy transfer occurs when one organism consumes another. The predator eating its prey exemplifies this process effectively. When a predator captures and consumes its prey, the energy that the prey obtained from the food it consumed is transferred to the predator. This energy transfer is fundamental to the flow of energy through an ecosystem, as it allows energy to move from one trophic level to another, starting with primary producers like plants, through herbivores, and up to various levels of predators.

The correct focus on energy transfer in this context highlights the relationship between organisms, emphasizing how intertwined these interactions are within an ecosystem. This transfer is critical for maintaining the balance of energy that supports all forms of life within an environment.