Which term best describes an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide and other chemicals?

Which term best describes an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide and other chemicals?

• A. Autotroph
• B. Heterotroph
• C. Omnivore
• D. Prey

Answer: (A)

Autotrophs are organisms that can make their own organic food from inorganic materials. They use energy from light (photosynthesis) or from chemical reactions (chemosynthesis) to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars and other organic molecules. This ability means they don’t need to eat other organisms for energy or carbon, and they provide the base of the food chain as producers in ecosystems. The description fits autotrophs because it describes an organism that can produce its own food rather than consuming it from others. In contrast, heterotrophs rely on eating other organisms; omnivores are a type of heterotroph that eats both plants and animals; prey refers to an organism that is eaten, not a way of obtaining food.

Autotrophs are organisms that can make their own organic food from inorganic materials. They use energy from light (photosynthesis) or from chemical reactions (chemosynthesis) to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars and other organic molecules. This ability means they don’t need to eat other organisms for energy or carbon, and they provide the base of the food chain as producers in ecosystems. The description fits autotrophs because it describes an organism that can produce its own food rather than consuming it from others. In contrast, heterotrophs rely on eating other organisms; omnivores are a type of heterotroph that eats both plants and animals; prey refers to an organism that is eaten, not a way of obtaining food.