Why do autotrophs perform photosynthesis?

Autotrophs perform photosynthesis primarily to produce organic food molecules, such as glucose, which serve as a source of energy and building materials for their growth and reproduction. During photosynthesis, autotrophs, such as plants and certain bacteria, convert light energy into chemical energy by using carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water absorbed from the soil. The process involves the absorption of sunlight by chlorophyll, which drives the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen as a byproduct. The glucose produced not only fuels the autotroph's own metabolic processes but can also be utilized by other organisms further up the food chain, highlighting the foundational role that autotrophs play in ecosystems.