Which statement best describes autotrophs?

• A. They rely on other organisms for energy
• B. They perform cellular respiration only
• C. They convert light energy into chemical energy to produce their own food
• D. They do not require energy

Answer: (C)

Autotrophs are organisms that make their own organic material using energy from either light or inorganic chemical reactions. The statement about converting light energy into chemical energy to produce their own food best captures the common way many autotrophs work—photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, light energy is captured by pigments like chlorophyll and converted into chemical energy stored in molecules such as ATP and NADPH, which then power the synthesis of sugars from carbon dioxide—fueling their own growth without needing preformed organic nutrients. It’s worth noting that some autotrophs (chemoautotrophs) use chemical energy from inorganic reactions instead of light, but the given statement accurately describes a central mode of autotrophy and is the best fit among the options. The other statements don’t fit: relying on others for energy would make an organism heterotrophic; performing cellular respiration only ignores the ability to synthesize organic molecules; and saying they do not require energy is incorrect because all living cells need energy to build and maintain themselves.