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  • Autotrophs: Organisms That Produce Their Own Food - Definition & Examples
    Organisms that make their own food are called autotrophs. They use energy from the environment, like sunlight or chemicals, to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

    Here are some examples of autotrophs:

    * Plants: These are the most familiar autotrophs. They use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars (their food) through photosynthesis.

    * Algae: These are single-celled or multi-celled organisms that also perform photosynthesis. They are found in various environments, from fresh water to oceans.

    * Cyanobacteria: These are photosynthetic bacteria that are often called "blue-green algae." They play a crucial role in the Earth's oxygen production.

    * Chemoautotrophs: These organisms use energy from chemical reactions, like the oxidation of sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, to produce food. They are found in extreme environments, like deep-sea vents.

    All organisms that cannot make their own food and rely on eating other organisms for energy are called heterotrophs.

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