Texas A&M University (TAMU) BIOL111 Introductory Biology I Exam 1 Practice Exam

The atom is regarded as the fundamental building block of matter because it is the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element. Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and come together to form all the different substances in the universe. They can combine in various ways to create molecules and compounds, which are larger structures made from two or more atoms. Understanding that atoms are the basic units helps in grasping how they form the various forms of matter around us, including gases, liquids, and solids.

Ions, compounds, and molecules are all derived from atoms. An ion is a charged atom that has either lost or gained electrons. A compound is a substance formed when two or more different types of atoms bond together in specific proportions. A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be the same element or different elements. While these components are important in chemistry and biology, they are not the fundamental building blocks of matter in the same way that atoms are.