They are much less abundant than photoautotrophs. Only bacteria and certain other microorganisms are chemoautotrophs. Instead, they break apart inorganic chemical compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, and use the energy released to make organic molecules. Ecosystems where there is not enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur are powered by chemoautotrophs- primary producers that do not use energy from the sun. In most aquatic ecosystems, including lakes and oceans, algae are the most important photoautotrophs. Trees, grasses, and shrubs are the most important terrestrial photoautotrophs. The most common are photoautotrophs-producers that carry out photosynthesis. Another name for producers is autotrophs, which means “self-nourishers.” There are two kinds of autotrophs. Ultimately, decomposers break down dead organisms, returning vital nutrients to the soil, and restarting the cycle. At the top level are secondary consumers-the carnivores and omnivores who eat the primary consumers. The second trophic level consists of primary consumers-the herbivores, or animals that eat plants. Producers are the foundation of every food web in every ecosystem-they occupy what is called the first tropic level of the food web. Plants release oxygen as a by-product of these reactions. It then combines the hydrogen with carbon dioxide from the air and minerals from the soil to make glucose (a sugar) and other more complex organic molecules. This process uses the energy of sunlight to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. How do producers work this magic of storing the energy from sunlight in molecules that other organisms can use? They accomplish this feat with a biochemical reaction called photosynthesis. This special ability to take power from the sun earns plants (along with certain other organisms, including algae and some bacteria) the title of “producers. These molecules are the fuel that powers all other living things. Green plants are the original “power plants.” They capture energy from the sun and combine it with inorganic, or nonliving, materials to make organic molecules. It turns energy from fuel, such as coal or natural gas, into another form of energy, electricity, that powers your lights and appliances.
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