The term for organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis is "autotrophs." These organisms, which include plants, algae, and some bacteria, utilize sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to synthesize their own organic materials, primarily glucose. Autotrophs are crucial to ecosystems as they serve as the primary producers in the food chain, converting solar energy into chemical energy, which sustains herbivores, carnivores, and ultimately all life on Earth. Their ability to generate oxygen is also vital for supporting life.