Final answer:
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food, and ecosystems depend on them for food. They use sunlight or inorganic molecules to synthesize organic compounds for energy. Other organisms rely on autotrophs for their food and energy needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They are critical for ecosystems because other organisms depend on them for food. Autotrophs, such as plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, use sunlight or inorganic molecules as an energy source to synthesize organic compounds like glucose. These compounds serve as food and energy for the rest of the ecosystem.
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