Which organism is a primary producer?

Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked to identify the primary producer among the options. Primary producers are the organisms at the base of every food chain.

Step 2: Explain the concept A primary producer is an organism that makes its own food from simple inorganic substances, usually by photosynthesis:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (in the presence of light and chlorophyll)

Green plants, algae, and some bacteria are primary producers. All other organisms, the consumers, depend on them directly or indirectly for food.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Cassava is a green plant. It has chlorophyll, photosynthesizes, and makes its own food (stored as starch in the tubers). It is a producer.
• B. Cricket is an insect that feeds on plants. It is a primary consumer (herbivore).
• C. Grasshopper feeds on leaves. It is a primary consumer (herbivore).
• D. Hawk is a bird of prey that feeds on other animals. It is a secondary or tertiary consumer (carnivore).
• E. Lizard feeds mainly on insects. It is a secondary consumer (carnivore or insectivore).

Step 4: Answer The only organism that makes its own food is cassava, so the answer is A.

Exam tip: Remember the order of a food chain: Producer → Primary consumer → Secondary consumer → Tertiary consumer. For example: Cassava → Grasshopper → Lizard → Hawk. Whenever you see a question on producers, look for the green plant among the options, because animals can never be primary producers.