\[ **BT: [[homepage]]** ] --- # matter and energy --- ## atoms: atomic nuclei and elementary particles [[An atom is the smallest unit of any element; atoms themselves are made up of subatomic particles (e.g. protons, electrons, neutrons).]][^1] [[Higher levels of organisation are built from lower levels (i.e. molecules combine to form cells, cells combine to form tissues, tissues combine to form organs, etc).]][^2] [[Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, e.g. water molecules, proteins, sugars. Thus, molecules are the building blocks of all living things.]][^3] --- ## energy, radiation, and the states and transformation of matter ### chemical elements [[All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements.]][^4] ### chemical compounds - [[citric acid]] --- ## the universe ### the cosmos > ‘The cosmos \[…] is an alternative name for the universe or its nature or order. Usage of the word cosmos implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity.’[^5] [[Scientific cosmology is the study of the universe via astronomy and physics. It has significant cultural impact from an anthropological viewpoint.]][^6] [[Scientific definitions of cosmology range from narrow to broad.]][^7] - related: [[society#cosmology|cosmology (anthropological/societal)]] #### structure and properties of the universe ##### dark matter [[Dark matter is matter we cannot explain; dark energy is energy we cannot explain. It is mysterious because it is unknown.]][^8] #### origin and development of the universe ##### modern cosmologies ###### Anthropic principle [[Anthropic cosmology posits the universe is the way it is for the purposes of harbouring observers (us, intelligent life).]][^9] [^1]: Lindsay M. Biga et al., *[[Biga, Anatomy and Physiology, 2019|Anatomy & Physiology]]* (Oregon State University, 2019), part 1.2., <https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/1-2-structural-organization-of-the-human-body/>. [^2]: Lindsay M. Biga et al., *[[Biga, Anatomy and Physiology, 2019|Anatomy & Physiology]]* (Oregon State University, 2019), part 1.2., <https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/1-2-structural-organization-of-the-human-body/>. [^3]: Lindsay M. Biga et al., *[[Biga, Anatomy and Physiology, 2019|Anatomy & Physiology]]* (Oregon State University, 2019), chap. 1.2, <https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/1-2-structural-organization-of-the-human-body/>. [^4]: Lindsay M. Biga et al., *[[Biga, Anatomy and Physiology, 2019|Anatomy & Physiology]]* (Oregon State University, 2019), part 1.2, <https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/1-2-structural-organization-of-the-human-body/>. [^5]: ‘Cosmos’, Wikipedia, last edited 16 March 2025, 16:54 (UTC), <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos>. [^6]: Nicholas Campion, ‘[[Campion, ‘The Importance of Cosmology in Culture’, 2017|The Importance of Cosmology in Culture: Contexts and Consequences]]’, in *Trends in Modern Cosmology*, ed. Abraao Jesse Capistrano De Souza (InTech, 2017), p. 3, <https://doi.org/10.5772/67976>. [^7]: Nicholas Campion, ‘[[Campion, ‘The Importance of Cosmology in Culture’, 2017|The Importance of Cosmology in Culture: Contexts and Consequences]]’, in *Trends in Modern Cosmology*, ed. Abraao Jesse Capitstrano De Souza (InTech, 2017), p. 4, <https://doi.org/10.5772/67976>. [^8]: Merlin Sheldrake, [[Sheldrake, Entangled Life, 2021|Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures]] (Vintage, 2021), p. 19. [^9]: Carlos A. Marmelada, ‘[[Marmelada, ‘John Barrow and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle’, n.d.|John Barrow and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle]]’, *Group Science, Reason and Faith* (Universidad de Navarra, n.d.), accessed 28 July 2024, <https://en.unav.edu/web/ciencia-razon-y-fe/john-barrow-y-el-principio-cosmologico-antropico>.