With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements : 1. A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other. 2. Food chains are found within the populations of a species. 3. A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A) 1 only Let's break down each statement: Statement 1: A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other. This is correct. A food chain depicts the linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another. Statement 2: Food chains are found within the populations of a species. This is incorrect. Food chains involve different species interacting through feeding relationships. A population consists of individuals of a single species. Food chains describe interactions between species. Statement 3: A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others. This is incorrect. While a food chain shows *who* eats *whom*, it doesn't necessarily illustrate the *quantities* or numbers of organisms consumed. Food webs, or ecological pyramids, are better suited to represent numerical relationships. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.