Why are plants called producers and animals consumers?

Plants are called producers and animals are called consumers because of their roles in the flow of energy within an ecosystem. Here's why:

* Producers (Plants): Plants are able to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create sugars (glucose) which provide them with energy. Since they create their own food, they are called producers.

* Consumers (Animals): Animals cannot produce their own food. They need to consume other organisms (plants or other animals) for energy. Since they consume other organisms, they are called consumers.

Here's a simple breakdown:

* Producers: Make food (glucose) from sunlight.

* Consumers: Eat other organisms for energy.

The flow of energy:

The energy that sustains all life on Earth ultimately comes from the sun. Plants capture this energy through photosynthesis and use it to create food. Animals then eat plants or other animals, obtaining the energy that was originally captured by plants. This flow of energy from producers to consumers is a fundamental part of the food chain and ecosystem balance.