Bottom-up To Humanity II - Neutrons, protons, and electrons

At a low level of analysis of the physical world, there are neutrons, and protons, and electrons. We know these apparently basic particles are themselves composed of still smaller particles, quarks, etc., although I hope that such level of detail will not be needed here (1).
At this level, we see particles move and interact. The complexity is overwhelming, since the sheer number of entities is colossal. Their individual behavior and their interactions, however, follow precise patterns (2) that can be understood. It is this property that allows us, at least to a certain extent, to ignore what they are composed of, and treat them as units.

(1) And that is a good thing since I don't really know much about them...
(2) It is worth noting that these patterns have been called "laws", although nothing suggests that there is a purpose in them.