The following organisms are producers except

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the organism that is NOT a producer. Producers (autotrophs) make their own food, usually by photosynthesis using chlorophyll.

Step 2: Concept

• Producers are green plants and algae. They trap sunlight and make food from carbon dioxide and water.
• Consumers feed on other organisms.
• Decomposers/saprophytes (such as fungi) feed on dead organic matter. They have no chlorophyll.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Hibiscus: a green flowering plant that photosynthesizes, so it is a producer.
• B. Mushroom: a fungus with no chlorophyll. It gets food from dead or decaying matter (saprophytic), so it is not a producer.
• C. Cactus: a green plant (a xerophyte) that photosynthesizes, mostly in its fleshy stem. It is a producer.
• D. Spirogyra: a green filamentous alga with spiral chloroplasts. It photosynthesizes, so it is a producer.

Step 4: Answer The mushroom is the only heterotroph in the list, so it is the exception.

Tip: Remember "fungi are not producers." Mushroom, mould, yeast, and bracket fungus all lack chlorophyll. When you see "producers except," look for a fungus or an animal among the options.