Which term describes an organism that captures energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce its own food from inorganic compounds?

• A. Autotroph
• B. Heterotroph
• C. Consumer
• D. Decomposer

Answer: (A)

An organism that captures energy from sunlight or chemical sources to make its own food from inorganic carbon is an autotroph. Autotrophs can use light energy to drive photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water into sugars, or some bacteria can use chemical energy to power chemosynthesis, fixing carbon into organic molecules without needing preformed organic nutrients. This ability to synthesize organic matter from inorganic inputs places autotrophs at the base of most food webs, supplying energy and carbon to other organisms.

In contrast, organisms that must obtain energy by consuming or decomposing others are heterotrophs (consumers and decomposers). They rely on organic molecules produced by autotrophs or other heterotrophs, rather than creating their own food from inorganic sources.