Living organisms acquire food in two different ways. Some organisms are autotrophs and some are heterotrophs.
Pigeons are an example of organisms.
Oak trees are an example of organisms.
Algae are a very important group of autotrophs that live in aquatic environments. Algae, such as kelp and other "seaweeds," are very important in both the ocean and freshwater habitats. Some algae look like plants, but they are actually in a group of organisms called protists. Algae use photosynthesis to collect energy and carbon from nonliving matter in the environment.
Algae collect carbon from and energy from .
All of the food you eat comes from autotrophs, from animals that eat autotrophs, or from bacteria and fungi that feed on dead organic matter. All of the carbon and energy that living organisms on the planet use to survive would not be available without autotrophs and photosynthesis.
What might happen if all of the autotrophs on the planet suddenly became heterotrophs?
Heterotrophs would get their energy from sunlight.
New autotrophs would arise through exogenesis.
Some heterotrophs would become mesotrophs.
No organism would be able to collect energy from light or carbon from air, and life would end.