An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. Because autotrophs produce their own food, they are sometimes called producers.Organisms are characterized into two broad categories based upon how they obtain their energy and nutrients: autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs are known as producers because they are able to make their own food from raw materials and energy. Examples include plants, algae, and some types of bacteria.
