Final answer:
Elements, compounds, and mixtures are all composed of atoms, with elements being single-atom pure substances, compounds being multi-atom pure substances in a fixed ratio, and mixtures being combinations of elements and/or compounds that can be physically separated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elements, compounds, and mixtures all have one fundamental thing in common: they are all made up of atoms. Atoms are the basic units of matter, and they retain the identity of the substance. Elements are pure substances made of only one type of atom, while compounds are pure substances that consist of two or more elements combined in a fixed ratio. On the other hand, mixtures are physical combinations of two or more elements and/or compounds, and they can be separated by physical means; hence, they are not considered pure substances.