It is the atom.
The atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains its chemical properties. It is composed of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that determine the chemical behavior of the atom.
Molecules are the smallest part of a substance. Molecules have all the properties of a substance.
retains the chemical identity of that element.
The basic unit of matter is an atom. It is also the smallest part of an element that retains all the properties of that element. Since your question ended with an... I would say element fits best.
1 The smallest part of a compound that still has the properties of that compound is a molecule. A molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together, and it retains the chemical properties of the compound it represents.
An atom
The smallest part of matter that retains its own chemical properties is called a(n) _______.
The smallest part of matter that still functions like matter is called an atom. The atoms make up molecules that in turn make up cells.
Quarks are the smallest parts of an element that have been discovered so far.
atom
The atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains its chemical properties. It is composed of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that determine the chemical behavior of the atom.
The smallest part of an element that is still that element is an atom. Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of all matter and are made up of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
Molecules are the smallest part of a substance. Molecules have all the properties of a substance.
Atom
A molecule
retains the chemical identity of that element.
The smallest unit of an element that is still that element is an atom. Some elements normally exist as molecules, but under some circumstances these can be broken down to individual atoms.