Penn Foster Biology – The Cell Practice Test

Autotrophs are defined as organisms that can produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This capability distinguishes them from heterotrophs, which rely on consuming other organisms for energy. The process of photosynthesis, primarily carried out by plants, algae, and some bacteria, utilizes sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create glucose and oxygen, effectively allowing these organisms to sustain themselves without directly consuming other life forms. This group of organisms plays a crucial role in ecosystems by serving as primary producers, forming the base of food webs. The other answer choices either describe heterotrophic organisms or narrow the definition too specifically, which is why they do not align with the broader concept of autotrophs.