Producers

Definition

Producers are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain and support all other levels of consumers in an ecosystem.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Producers convert solar energy into chemical energy, which is then used by other organisms in the ecosystem.
2. Most producers are plants, algae, and certain bacteria.
3. They play a crucial role in carbon fixation, converting CO2 into organic compounds.
4. The energy efficiency from producers to primary consumers is typically around 10%.
5. Producers contribute to oxygen production through photosynthesis.

Review Questions

• What process do producers primarily use to create their own food?
• Why are producers considered the foundation of any ecosystem?
• Name two types of organisms that can be classified as producers.

Related terms

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Primary Consumers: Organisms that eat producers; they are herbivores.

Carbon Fixation: The process of converting inorganic CO2 into organic compounds during photosynthesis.