Autotrophs: Definition Organisms classified as autotrophs

Definition Organisms classified as autotrophs are those that can use light, water, carbon dioxide, or other substances to make food on their own. Because they are primary producers and the foundation of the food chain, they are essential to ecosystems because they transform inorganic materials into organic matter that other creatures may eat. Autotrophs are organisms that produce organic compounds and oxygen from simple substances using energy from light or inorganic reactions. They are the primary producers in food chains and support all life on Earth. Learn about the history, variants, and examples of autotrophs , and how they differ from heterotrophs. Learn the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs, the two types of organisms based on their mode of nutrition. Autotrophs are producers that make their own food, while heterotrophs are consumers that depend on others for food.