Why are plants called producers?

Plants are called producers because they produce their own food through photosynthesis, a process where they use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make glucose (food) and oxygen. Unlike animals, which depend on other organisms for food, plants are autotrophs—they make their own energy.

In an ecosystem:

• Plants are the primary producers. They form the base of the food chain.
• All herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores ultimately rely on plants for survival, either directly or indirectly. For example, cows eat grass, and humans eat both cows and plants.
• Through photosynthesis, plants convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This energy flows through the ecosystem when other organisms consume plants.

The process of photosynthesis can be represented as:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Plants being producers ensures life sustainability on Earth. Without them, the food web would collapse. They not only provide food but also release oxygen, which is vital for respiration in animals and humans.

Hence, when asked "Why are plants called producers," the correct answer is that plants are considered producers because they can synthesize their own food using sunlight, unlike other living beings who depend on them.