What term describes an organism that makes its own food, such as plants and cyanobacteria, and functions as a producer in a food web?

• A. Heterotroph
• B. Decomposer
• C. Producer
• D. Autotroph

Answer: (D)

Autotrophs are organisms that make their own food by converting inorganic energy into organic molecules, using light in photosynthesis or chemical energy in chemosynthesis. Plants and cyanobacteria are classic examples, turning carbon dioxide and water into sugars that fuel themselves and support other organisms. In a food web, autotrophs serve as producers because they generate the biomass that heterotrophs rely on for energy. The term producer describes their ecological role, while autotroph describes the metabolic way they obtain carbon and energy. Heterotrophs rely on organic matter made by others, and decomposers break down dead material. So the best term for an organism that makes its own food is autotroph.