What is an autotroph?

An autotroph is defined as an organism that produces its own food, typically through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. In photosynthesis, for example, autotrophs, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process involves using carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil, effectively transforming inorganic materials into organic compounds that serve as food.

Autotrophs are vital to ecosystems as they form the base of the food chain, supplying energy to heterotrophs, which are organisms that rely on consuming other organisms for energy. This ability to self-produce food contrasts with other types of organisms that depend on external sources of energy, and it distinguishes autotrophs within the broader classification of life forms.