What is an autotroph?

An autotroph is defined as an organism that can produce its own food, typically through processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This ability allows autotrophs to synthesize organic compounds from simpler inorganic substances, enabling them to occupy a fundamental role in ecosystems as primary producers. For example, green plants, some algae, and certain bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis, making them autotrophic.

In contrast, organisms that rely on consuming other organisms for sustenance, like consumers or heterotrophs, do not have the capability to produce their food internally. The definition of an autotroph encompasses both photoautotrophs, which use light as their energy source, and chemoautotrophs, which derive energy from chemical reactions, often in environments devoid of sunlight. Understanding the concept of autotrophs is essential in grasping ecological relationships and energy flow within ecosystems.