Chemoheterotrophic Bacteria are Primary Producers

Question

Chemoheterotrophic bacteria are primary producers.

Accepted Answer

Chemoheterotrophic bacteria obtain their energy and organic molecules from other organisms, so they cannot be primary producers, which are organisms that produce organic compounds from inorganic molecules through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Primary producers are at the base of the food chain, providing energy and nutrients to other organisms. Examples of primary producers include plants, algae, and some bacteria and archaea that use light or chemicals to produce organic matter. Chemoheterotrophic bacteria are instead consumers or decomposers, as they rely on organic compounds that are already produced by other organisms.