What type of organisms synthesize their own food using sunlight?

Autotrophs are organisms capable of producing their own food through the process of photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight as their primary energy source. This ability allows them to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, primarily through the chlorophyll found in their cells. This process is fundamental to the energy flow in ecosystems, as it serves as the foundation for most food chains.

In contrast, heterotrophs are organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and instead rely on consuming other organisms, while detritivores feed on dead organic matter, contributing to the breakdown of material in the ecosystem. Herbivores, on the other hand, are a specific type of heterotroph that mainly feed on plant material. Therefore, autotrophs stand out as the primary producers in ecosystems, making them essential for the sustenance of all other life forms.