Food chain is

Food chain is

relationship between autotrophic organisms
exchange of genetic material between two organisms
passage of food (and thus energy) from one organism to another
modern entrepreneur establishment providing food outlets
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2019
A food chain describes the linear sequence of organisms where nutrients and energy are transferred from one trophic level to another as one organism consumes another. It illustrates the flow of food (organic matter containing energy) through an ecosystem, starting typically with producers and moving through various levels of consumers.
The essence of a food chain is the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to the next through consumption.
Food chains are interconnected to form food webs, which represent more complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem. The different levels in a food chain are called trophic levels (producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, etc.).