Here's how it works:

1. Sunlight: Autotrophs capture light energy from the sun using pigments like chlorophyll.

2. CO2 and Water: They take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and water (H2O) from the soil or environment.

3. Energy Conversion: The light energy is used to convert CO2 and H2O into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen (O2). This process is called light-dependent reactions.

4. Glucose as Energy: The glucose produced is a form of chemical energy that the autotroph can use for growth, reproduction, and other life processes. This process is called light-independent reactions.

In summary: Autotrophs use sunlight to convert inorganic compounds (CO2 and H2O) into organic compounds (glucose) and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Examples of autotrophs:

* Plants: They use chlorophyll in their leaves to capture sunlight.

* Algae: They live in water and also use chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

* Some bacteria: They can use different forms of energy, like sulfur or iron, for photosynthesis.