Producers, also known as autotrophs, are organisms that can synthesize their own organic compounds from inorganic precursors like carbon dioxide, water, and nitrates using energy from sunlight or inorganic chemical reactions. There are two main types of autotrophs: photoautotrophs, which use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight as an energy source, including plants, algae, and cyanobacteria; and chemoautotrophs, which obtain energy through inorganic oxidation reactions in dark environments and convert toxic molecules into glucose, such as microbes and mussels.

1. Producers
Learning Objectives
• Concept of producers
• Types of producers
• Photosynthesis
• Chemosynthesis

2. Producers
Autotrophs
• Synthesis of the organic
compounds of their
bodies from inorganic
precursors such as:
- CO2, H2O, NO3
• using energy from an
abiotic source
- Light
- inorganic oxidation
reactions

3. Producers
Types of Autotrophs
1. Photoautotrophs
• Photosynthetic organisms
• Examples: plants, algae,
and cyanobacteria
• Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 +
6O2
• Main input of free energy
into the biosphere
https://asknature.org/strategy/photosynthesis-
makes-useful-organic-compounds-out-of-
co2/#.XKcbMZgzY2w

4. Producers
Types of Autotrophs
2. Chemoautotrophs
• Occurs in dark habitats
• They obtain energy by
means of inorganic
oxidation reactions.
• Convert toxic molicules
into glucose
• Example: Microbes,
mussels
https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/8960/photosynt
hesis-and-
chemosynthesishttps://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/
8960/photosynthesis-and-chemosynthesis

5. Producers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcqYhM7gM0g