Photoautotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light energy. In the case of plants, they utilize sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through a process known as photosynthesis.
This means that plants do not need to consume other organisms or organic matter to obtain energy. Instead, they harness the energy from sunlight, enabling them to thrive in a variety of environments as long as they have access to light, water, and nutrients from the soil.
In summary, being a photoautotroph allows plants to be self-sustaining, playing a critical role in ecosystems as primary producers. They form the foundation of food webs by providing energy not only for themselves but also for the herbivores and, subsequently, the carnivores that rely on them for nourishment.