Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What term describes organisms that produce their own food?

1. Heterotrophs

2. Autotrophs

3. Decomposers

4. Producers

The correct answer is: Autotrophs

The term that describes organisms that produce their own food is autotrophs. Autotrophs are capable of synthesizing organic substances from simple inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide and water, often using sunlight through the process of photosynthesis. This ability allows them to create their own energy sources, making them fundamental to the ecosystem as primary producers. In contrast, heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms or organic compounds for energy, thus they do not produce their own food. Decomposers play a specific role in breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil, but they do not produce their own food. While the term producers can sometimes be used interchangeably with autotrophs, it is more encompassing as it includes all organisms that can produce energy-rich compounds, not just those that are self-sustaining like autotrophs. Therefore, autotrophs specifically denote the organisms capable of creating their own food, highlighting their essential role in energy flows of ecosystems.