What do we call organisms that produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis?

Organisms that produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis are referred to as producers. These organisms, primarily plants, algae, and some bacteria, utilize sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is fundamental to ecosystems because producers form the base of the food chain, supplying energy to all other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers.

In contrast, herbivores are organisms that primarily feed on plants; consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by eating other organisms; and detritivores are organisms that feed on decomposing organic matter. Understanding the role of producers is essential for grasping the dynamics of energy transfer within ecosystems and the interdependence of different life forms.