What term describes organisms that synthesize glucose from inorganic substances using external energy sources?

The term "autotrophic" accurately describes organisms that are capable of synthesizing glucose from inorganic substances using external energy sources. Autotrophs have the unique ability to convert inorganic materials, such as carbon dioxide and water, into organic compounds, like glucose, primarily through processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

In the case of phototrophic autotrophs, they harness sunlight as their energy source to drive the photosynthesis process. On the other hand, chemotropic autotrophs obtain energy from chemical reactions, typically involving inorganic molecules. Both processes enable these organisms to produce their own food using inorganic substrates, setting them apart from heterotrophic organisms, which cannot synthesize their own food and instead rely on consuming organic matter. This distinction highlights the autotrophs' critical role in ecosystems as primary producers.