Why can’t animals, including humans, make their own food?

Animals, including humans, lack the ability to photosynthesize, a process exclusive to plants, algae, and some bacteria. Photosynthesis enables organisms to convert sunlight into energy by synthesizing organic compounds like glucose. Animals, however, have evolved to obtain their energy by consuming other organisms or their byproducts. This reliance on external food sources is a more complex but energetically efficient strategy, allowing animals to extract essential nutrients directly from the environment rather than relying on the intricate biochemical processes involved in photosynthesis. As a result, animals have diversified their diets and ecological niches to optimize energy acquisition.