Final answer:
Production inputs related to human work efforts are referred to as labor, which is a critical component of the factors of production, alongside materials and machinery. It is necessary for the production of goods and services and is a concept within the business and economic fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
Production inputs consisting of anyone who works, including both physical and intellectual labor, are called labor. This term is commonly used to describe the human element required in the production of goods and services. Labor is one of the essential factors of production, which also include materials and machinery. In economic discussions, labor can be considered in terms of the number of hours worked or the number of workers available, and it encompasses both physical exertion and intellectual contributions.
When evaluating how to produce food or any other goods, the input of labor is crucial, as it works in combination with physical capital such as machinery and with human capital, which refers to the knowledge and skills of the workers. On a farm, for example, the amount of food produced is dependent on the labor provided by farmers and the efficiency with which they can use resources such as land and equipment.