Question
Q. an organism that captures energy from the sun or chemicals and uses it to produce its own food
Answers
GPT-4o mini
An organism that captures energy from the sun or chemicals and uses it to produce its own food is called an **autotroph**. Autotrophs can be classified into two main types:
1. **Phototrophs** - Organisms that use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis (e.g., plants, algae, and some bacteria).
2. **Chemotrophs** - Organisms that obtain energy through the oxidation of inorganic or organic compounds, often in environments where sunlight is not available (e.g., certain bacteria and archaea).
Both types of autotrophs are essential for ecosystems, as they serve as primary producers, forming the base of the food chain by producing organic matter that other organisms (heterotrophs) rely on for energy.
1. **Phototrophs** - Organisms that use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis (e.g., plants, algae, and some bacteria).
2. **Chemotrophs** - Organisms that obtain energy through the oxidation of inorganic or organic compounds, often in environments where sunlight is not available (e.g., certain bacteria and archaea).
Both types of autotrophs are essential for ecosystems, as they serve as primary producers, forming the base of the food chain by producing organic matter that other organisms (heterotrophs) rely on for energy.