Autotroph
An autotroph is an organism capable of producing its own food using inorganic substances and an external energy source. Plants, algae, and certain bacteria are examples of autotrophs that use Photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in Glucose. These organisms are primary producers, forming the base of most ecological food chains by supplying energy and organic matter to Heterotrophs.
Autotrophs can be classified into two main types: photoautotrophs, which harness energy from sunlight, and chemoautotrophs, which obtain energy through chemical reactions involving inorganic molecules. By fixing carbon dioxide into organic molecules like G3P during the Calvin Cycle, autotrophs play a vital role in the global carbon cycle and sustain life on Earth.