Arizona State University (ASU) BIO320 Fundamentals of Ecology Exam 3 Practice

Primary producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, create energy in the form of chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis. In this process, they use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as a vital source of energy that can be utilized by the primary producers themselves and, subsequently, by other organisms in the food chain. This chemical energy is foundational for the energy flow within an ecosystem, supporting various trophic levels, from herbivores to predators.