Answer :
Final answer:
Autotrophs, including photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs, are essential organisms capable of creating their own food. They use sunlight or inorganic molecules as energy sources, sustaining ecosystems.
Explanation:
Autotrophs, such as plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, are organisms capable of synthesizing their own food using inorganic carbon as a carbon source. Photoautotrophs use sunlight as an energy source for photosynthesis, while chemoautotrophs use inorganic molecules as an energy source. These autotrophs play a crucial role in ecosystems by providing energy for other organisms.