Which of the following terms refers to organisms that produce their own energy?

The term that refers to organisms that produce their own energy is "producers." Producers, also known as autotrophs, are able to create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This process allows them to convert light energy, typically from the sun, or chemical energy from inorganic substances into organic compounds, such as glucose, which can then be used for energy and growth.

In ecosystems, producers form the base of the food chain and are vital for supporting life, as they provide energy for consumers, which are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. By contrast, decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, and heterotrophs are organisms that rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients, rather than producing their own. Therefore, the concept of producers is foundational in understanding energy flow within ecological communities.