AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
This is usually a green plant or alga which makes glucose by photosynthesis.
Full specification wording
Levels of organisation: This is usually a green plant or alga which makes glucose by photosynthesis.
A producer is an organism that synthesises its own organic nutrients, typically glucose, from simple inorganic substances.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 12
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A producer is an organism that synthesises its own organic nutrients, typically glucose, from simple inorganic substances. In most ecosystems these are green plants on land and algae in water, both containing chlorophyll that absorbs light energy. That light energy drives photosynthesis, combining carbon dioxide and water to form glucose, with oxygen released as a by-product. Because producers convert light energy into chemical energy stored in biomass, they occupy the first trophic level and supply energy to all other organisms in the food chain. Some producers, such as certain bacteria, use chemosynthesis instead, so the green plant or alga description is the usual but not universal case.
What earns the marks
- States that a producer makes its own glucose rather than consuming ready-made organic molecules.
- Identifies green plants and algae as the usual examples because they contain chlorophyll.
- Links glucose production to photosynthesis using light energy, carbon dioxide and water.
- Explains that producers form the first trophic level and transfer energy to consumers.
- Recognises that oxygen is released during photosynthesis and that biomass stores chemical energy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Describing a producer as any organism that eats plants.
Put it right: A producer synthesises its own glucose, while an organism that eats plants is a primary consumer.
Writing that plants obtain glucose from the soil.
Put it right: Glucose is made in photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and water, while soil supplies water and mineral ions.
Stating that all producers are green plants.
Put it right: Algae are also common producers and some bacteria use chemosynthesis.
Exam tips
- Define the term producer before giving examples, so the examiner sees the concept as well as the organism.
- Name the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis when explaining how a producer makes glucose.
- Use the phrase first trophic level to show where producers sit in a food chain.
Try the lesson
The start of the Levels of organisation: This is usually a green plant or alga which makes glucose by photosynthesis. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which organism is usually a green plant or alga that makes glucose by photosynthesis?
Listen
A producer is an organism that synthesises its own organic nutrients, typically glucose, from simple inorganic substances. In most ecosystems these are green plants on land and algae in water, both containing chlorophyll that absorbs light energy. That light energy drives photosynthesis, combining carbon dioxide and water to form glucose, with oxygen released as a by-product. Because producers convert light energy into chemical energy stored in biomass, they occupy the first trophic level and supply energy to all other organisms in the food chain. Some producers, such as certain bacteria, use chemosynthesis instead, so the green plant or alga description is the usual but not universal case. A strong answer earns marks for these points. States that a producer makes its own glucose rather than consuming ready-made organic molecules. Identifies green plants and algae as the usual examples because they contain chlorophyll. Links glucose production to photosynthesis using light energy, carbon dioxide and water. Explains that producers form the first trophic level and transfer energy to consumers. A common slip: Describing a producer as any organism that eats plants. Instead, a producer synthesises its own glucose, while an organism that eats plants is a primary consumer. Exam tip: Define the term producer before giving examples, so the examiner sees the concept as well as the organism.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Trophic levels
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Energy transfer
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Biomass
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See every definition
- Trophic levels
- The levels in a food chain, with producers occupying the first trophic level and supplying energy to all other organisms.
- Energy transfer
- The passing of energy from producers to consumers in a food chain, because producers convert light energy into chemical energy stored in biomass.
- Biomass
- The material in which chemical energy converted from light energy is stored by producers.
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