Which organisms are classified as autotrophs?

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances. They harness energy from sunlight or chemical sources to create organic compounds necessary for their survival. In this context, plants are the quintessential examples of autotrophs. They utilize photosynthesis, a process that converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, using sunlight as a catalyst to produce their own food.

While certain bacteria can also be classified as autotrophs, particularly those that engage in photosynthetic or chemosynthetic processes, the primary focus here is on plants, which are more universally recognized for their autotrophic capabilities. Animals, on the other hand, cannot synthesize their own food and rely on consuming other organisms. Similarly, fungi obtain nutrients by breaking down organic matter rather than producing their own food, which distinguishes them from autotrophic organisms. Thus, the classification of plants as autotrophs aligns with their ability to generate organic compounds through photosynthesis, marking them as a key group within this category.