What is the term for an organism that makes its own food using sunlight?

An organism that makes its own food using sunlight is referred to as an autotroph. This process typically occurs through photosynthesis, where autotrophs, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, convert light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, these organisms use sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, providing the fundamental source of energy for themselves and often serving as a primary food source for other organisms within the ecosystem.

Heterotrophs, on the other hand, cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms, either directly or indirectly, for energy. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, but they do not create their own food. Parasites depend on a host organism for nourishment and cannot produce their own food, making them fundamentally different from autotrophs. This distinction highlights the essential role of autotrophs in energy production within food chains and ecosystems.