Question

Why are producers also named transducers?

Answer 1

Hint: In an ecosystem, autotrophic organisms which convert inorganic compounds into the biomass are known as the producers. The producers prepare food on their own. Green plants are the major producers in any ecosystem.

Complete answer:
Plants and algae are the primary producers in most of the ecosystems. In any food chain, producers form the first trophic level thus transferring the energy to subsequent trophic levels. Producers are also referred to as transducers because during the process of photosynthesis, they absorb light or the radiant energy and eventually convert them into the chemical form of energy. The producers, also known as autotrophs serve as the primary source of energy in any ecosystem. These producers undergo photosynthetic reactions thus producing various carbohydrates. The primary producers are then consumed by several herbivores which serve as the primary consumers. Later, the secondary consumer that is the predator acts and final tertiary consumers consume the herbivores thus transferring energies to various trophic levels.

Note: The producers are mostly the photosynthetically active organisms. However, certain chemoautotrophs, like archaea (unicellular organism) also serve as the producers by oxidizing inorganic chemical compounds into the biomass. Moreover, lichens also form an extraordinary example of primary producers in the tundra climates. They function by forming symbiotic association between the photosynthetic algae and the fungus decomposer.