What is the sequence in which animals obtain their food called?

The correct answer is the Food Chain. A food chain describes the linear sequence through which energy and nutrients transfer from one organism to another within an ecosystem, starting with producers and moving up to various levels of consumers. For example, a simple food chain might start with plants (producers) that convert sunlight into energy, which are then consumed by herbivores (primary consumers), and those herbivores might be preyed upon by carnivores (secondary consumers).

This concept is foundational for understanding ecosystem dynamics, as it illustrates the direct lines of energy transfer and shows how species are interdependent. In contrast, the other terms listed refer to different but related concepts. A food distribution typically refers to human-managed systems of distributing food rather than ecological relationships. A food web, while related and more complex than a food chain, represents the interconnected feeding relationships among various species within an ecosystem rather than a singular sequence. Lastly, a nutritional cycle is not standard terminology in ecology, although it may refer to how nutrients are recycled through various biological processes. Therefore, the Food Chain is the most accurate term for describing the sequence of how animals obtain their food.