What are the basic building blocks of all matter?

The basic building blocks of all matter are atoms. Everything around us, whether solid, liquid, or gas, is composed of atoms. Each atom consists of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that move in orbitals around the nucleus. Atoms can bond together to form molecules, which are combinations of two or more atoms.

While molecules are important structures that make up substances, they are not the fundamental units of matter. Cells are the basic units of life and are composed of numerous molecules and atoms but do not account for all matter in general. Electrons, on the other hand, are subatomic particles within the atom itself and cannot stand alone as building blocks of matter. Thus, atoms serve as the foundational components from which all matter is constructed.