Which statement describes a producer?

• A. An organism that consumes other organisms
• B. An organism that creates energy from sunlight
• C. An organism that decomposes dead matter
• D. An organism that is eaten

Answer: (B)

Energy flow in ecosystems starts with producers, autotrophs that capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy via photosynthesis. They take in carbon dioxide and water and produce glucose and oxygen, storing energy in organic molecules. This stored energy then fuels herbivores and passes up the food chain. So the statement describing a producer is one that creates energy from sunlight.

Organisms that eat other organisms are consumers, not producers, and decomposers break down dead matter to recycle nutrients rather than creating energy from light. Being eaten is simply what happens to many organisms, not a definition of energy production.