autotroph
an organism capable of producing its own food
An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food through the process of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, without consuming other organisms. Autotrophs can be either plants, algae, or some bacteria. They derive energy from sunlight (in the case of plants and algae) or from chemical compounds (in the case of some bacteria).
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a sugar that is used as a source of energy for the organism. Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant and algae cells that contain chlorophyll, a pigment responsible for capturing energy from sunlight.
Chemosynthesis is a process that occurs in some bacteria, where they use chemical energy from inorganic compounds like hydrogen sulfide or methane to synthesize organic compounds that they can use as a source of energy.
Autotrophs are important in many ecosystems, as they form the first link in the food chain by providing energy and nutrients to other organisms. Without autotrophs, there would be no energy flow in ecosystems.
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