Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

Primary producers are organisms that can produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This group primarily includes autotrophs, such as plants and phytoplankton, which utilize sunlight or chemical energy to convert inorganic substances (like carbon dioxide and water) into organic matter.

In ecosystems, primary producers form the base of the food web. They provide energy and organic materials that are essential for other organisms, such as consumers and decomposers. For instance, plants capture solar energy and transform it into biomass, which is then consumed by herbivores. Phytoplankton, found in aquatic environments, plays a similar role by converting sunlight into energy, supporting a wide array of marine life.

Understanding that primary producers are fundamental to ecosystem dynamics highlights their importance in energy flow and the sustenance of all other life forms.