Which type of organism generates ATP and produces glucose from inorganic substances using light energy?

Photoautotrophs are organisms that utilize light energy to convert inorganic substances into organic compounds, particularly glucose, through the process of photosynthesis. This ability distinguishes them as key producers in ecosystems, as they can synthesize their own food using sunlight, CO2, and water, ultimately generating ATP as a form of energy during this process.

Among the options, photoautotrophs include organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria, which possess chlorophyll or other pigments to capture light energy. They harness this energy to drive the chemical reactions necessary for converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This not only sustains the photoautotrophs themselves but also supports other organisms in the ecosystem by forming the base of the food web.

Other options, such as heterotrophs, obtain their energy and carbon by consuming organic material, rather than producing it themselves. Chemoautotrophs, while they can produce organic molecules from inorganic sources, derive energy not from light but from chemical reactions typically involving inorganic molecules, like hydrogen sulfide or ammonia. The term autotroph includes both photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs but does not specifically indicate the use of light energy, which is a defining characteristic of photoaut