PSI Barbering Practice Exam

Which of the following are the basic building blocks of all matter?

1. Molecules

2. Atoms

3. Cells

4. Particles

The correct answer is: Atoms

Atoms are indeed the fundamental building blocks of all matter. They are the smallest units of an element and consist of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. Atoms combine in various ways to form molecules, which are larger structures that can represent compounds or simple combinations of elements. While molecules are made from atoms, and cells are the basic units of life (composed of molecules and organelles), they are not the simplest or most fundamental units of matter. Particles can refer to subatomic components (like protons, neutrons, and electrons) or matter in a more general sense, but the term is broader and doesn't specifically address the elemental composition of matter. Therefore, atoms are the correct choice as they are the definitive building blocks from which all matter is made.