Matter

Definition

Matter is any substance that occupies space and has mass, comprising atoms and molecules as its fundamental units. In the context of anatomy and physiology, matter includes everything from the gases we breathe to the solid structures of bones and organs.

Related terms

Atom: The smallest unit of an element that retains all the properties of that element, serving as a building block for matter.

Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

Element: A pure substance consisting entirely of one type of atom, distinguished by its atomic number or the number of protons in its nucleus