is an organism that uses the energy from the sun or inorganic substances to make its own food; it is also called a producer.

An organism that makes its own food using energy from sunlight or inorganic substances is an autotroph. Autotrophs are also called producers because they make food that can support other organisms. A heterotroph, by contrast, gets food by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.