EXPLANATION
GS1. Which of the following is the smallest unit of matter?
a) Atom
b) Molecule
c) Cell
d) Electron
ANSWER: a) Atom
EXPLANATION:
The smallest unit of matter among the options provided is:
a) Atom
An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus. Atoms combine to form molecules, which are the next level of organization in matter.
Option b) Molecule is a group of atoms bonded together, and it is larger than an individual atom.
Option c) Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms. While cells are important in biology, they are not the smallest unit of matter.
Option d) Electron is a subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom, but it is not the smallest unit of matter itself.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) Atom.
