Autotrophic nutrition is a process where an organism prepares its own food from a simple inorganic material like water, mineral salts and carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight.”

Autotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition is a type of nutrition where organisms can produce their own food using simple inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water. This process involves the use of sunlight or chemical energy to convert these raw materials into organic compounds.

Key Points:
- Autotrophic organisms are also known as autotrophs and they include plants, algae, and some bacteria.
- The process by which autotrophs produce their own food is called photosynthesis.
- During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
- In addition to photosynthesis, some autotrophs use chemosynthesis to produce food by using chemicals instead of sunlight.

Details:
Autotrophic nutrition is essential for the survival of many organisms as it is the primary source of organic matter in most ecosystems. Plants play a crucial role in the food chain by converting sunlight into energy-rich organic compounds that can be consumed by heterotrophs.
Photosynthesis is a complex biochemical process that involves multiple steps including the absorption of sunlight by chlorophyll, the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, and the synthesis of glucose. This process not only provides food for the plant itself but also produces oxygen as a byproduct, which is vital for the survival of many organisms.
Chemosynthesis, on the other hand, is a process used by certain bacteria to produce food using chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide or methane. These bacteria are commonly found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents where sunlight cannot penetrate, making chemosynthesis a crucial source of energy in these extreme environments.
In conclusion, autotrophic nutrition is a fundamental process in the natural world, providing the foundation for the energy flow in ecosystems and sustaining life on Earth.