Organisms that can produce their own food are termed autotrophs. These living beings synthesize organic compounds, primarily glucose, from inorganic substances using energy from sunlight or chemical reactions. The most common types of autotrophs are photosynthetic organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, which utilize sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose through the process of photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. On the other hand, chemosynthetic autotrophs derive energy from chemical reactions involving inorganic molecules, such as those found in deep-sea environments. Autotrophs are foundational to ecosystems as they provide energy for heterotrophs, which cannot produce their own food.