Do you know what really makes you and me similar? We are both made up of trillions and trillions of cells and even smaller atoms. These atoms make up all everyday matter, and until the early 20th century many people thought they were the smallest building blocks of life. They were later discovered to have even smaller parts called subatomic particles. In short, these particles often have interesting characteristics that make the universe work. Understanding these subatomic particles is critical to understanding the idea that all matter is interrelated in spectacular ways. Without these particles we would not know the fundamental elements of life and we would not have particle physics in general. Elementary particles help us understand the specificities of atoms and without them a standard model would not exist. They're pretty interesting too: They're found in animals; found in food; found in space. They both keep us alive and are responsible for many phenomena. Elementary particles are important to us because they help form atoms, include important force carriers, and open up new thoughts and ideas on different topics, such as quantum physics. Quarks make up protons and neutrons, while leptons make up electrons. Combinations of these fermions are essentially why we have different elements, as they make up the different particles in atoms. Remember that elements are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances and are primary constituents of matter. They are important and exist thanks to these fermions. This makes the relationship between quarks and leptons extremely important. Let's take this simple example: why aren't there elements made up only of neutrons (quarks)? T... middle of the paper... the universe is crucial. For all these reasons elementary particles are significant. They give us a clear understanding of atoms and how fermions relate to elements. They include aircraft carriers and the forces they carry. And finally, they always give us new questions and answers. Without elementary particles our understanding of the universe would be incomplete. They do so much despite being so terribly small, and that's why they're so important. Instead of looking for an explanation of the universe in vast galaxies and enormous stars, why not look at the simplest and smallest things? This is why understanding the nature of elementary particles brings us even closer to understanding the entire universe. It provides us with answers to questions such as: what it is made of, how it was made and what laws it obeys. And this is why they are “fundamentally” important.