EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. Because autotrophs produce their own food, they are sometimes called producers.

Detailed explanation-2: -Autotrophs are known as producers because they are able to make their own food from raw materials and energy. Examples include plants, algae, and some types of bacteria. Heterotrophs are known as consumers because they consume producers or other consumers. Dogs, birds, fish, and humans are all examples of heterotrophs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants, lichens, and algae are examples of autotrophs capable of photosynthesis. Notice their green color due to the high amounts of chlorophyll pigments inside their cells. Synonyms: autophyte; autotrophic organism; primary producer.

Detailed explanation-4: -Autotrophs are vital to all ecosystems because all organisms need organic molecules and only autotrophs can produce them from inorganic compounds. There are two basic types of autotrophs: photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Animals are heterotrophs. They do not possess chlorophyll pigment to undergo photosynthesis, hence they feed on living organisms.