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Autotrophic organisms are those that obtain their energy from the sun. These include plants and certain bacteria.
Autotrophs use photosynthesis to create complex molecules from simple ones, such as carbon dioxide and water. In this way, they convert sunlight into usable chemical energy. They also release oxygen and other gases.
The carbon and energy requirements of autotrophic organisms are fulfilled by the process of photosynthesis. They require light, water, and carbon dioxide to produce organic materials (food).
These organisms obtain carbon from the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Water is also needed for photosynthesis to occur.
The autotrophs release oxygen as well as energy-rich molecules into their environment. Simple examples are plants such as mosses and algae.
The energy-rich molecules produced during photosynthesis are used by autotrophs to capture the energy of sunlight and convert it into chemical bonds. The process is called photolysis.