The Electron is a fundamental subatomic particle that carries an electric charge.
It is a spin-half lepton that participates in electromagnetic interactions, and its mass is less than one thousandth of that of the smallest atom.
Its electric charge is defined by convention to be negative, with a value of -1 in atomic units.
Together with atomic nuclei, electrons make up atoms; their interaction with adjacent nuclei is the main cause of chemical bonding.
The electron is one of a class of subatomic particles called leptons, which are believed to be fundamental particles (that is, they cannot be broken down into smaller constituent parts)..
by http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/e/electron.htm
