IB ESS HL 2.2.5 Producers Question Bank
Identify producers and explain their role as the entry point for energy into food systems.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Identify producers and explain their role as the entry point for energy into food systems.
Describe the role of primary producers in ecosystems.
producers are plants that convert light energy into chemical energy by photosynthesis;
photosynthesis/primary producers convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose/sugar and oxygen; this conversion/glucose forms the raw material of biomass/the basis of food chains; producers (thereby) provide food for consumers/energy in a form that can be passed along food chains;
the production of oxygen by producers is vital for the majority of ecosystems; the absorption of CO2 maintains a balance of CO2 in atmosphere/reduces global warming;
primary producers may alternatively generate biomass through chemosynthesis; chemosynthetic bacteria use chemical energy to produce food without using sunlight; plants may also provide other resources/services for ecosystem eg habitats/soil conservation/cycling of matter;
Marking guidance:
Award [1] for each correct role described, up to [4 max].