Chapter 21, Problem 5RQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The examples of microbial producers in the ecosystem including both, phototrophs, as well as lithotrophs and the chances of a microbe serving as both producer and consumer.

Introduction:

The organisms that synthesize food from inorganic raw materials are called producers. They convert water, carbon dioxide, and other inorganic substances into carbohydrates using the energy source. The first type is phototrophs that use solar energy to synthesize food by the process called photosynthesis. Lithotrophs oxidize the inorganic compound in order to get energy for their survival.