Electrons are elementary particles and are not composed of smaller particles like quarks and gluons. According to our current understanding of particle physics, electrons are considered fundamental particles, meaning they are not made up of anything smaller.
Elementary particles are the building blocks of matter and are classified into different types based on their properties and interactions. Electrons belong to a class of particles called leptons. Other leptons include muons, taus, and their corresponding neutrinos.
In contrast, protons and neutrons, which are found in atomic nuclei, are composite particles made up of quarks. Protons consist of two up quarks and one down quark, while neutrons consist of one up quark and two down quarks. The interactions between these quarks are mediated by particles called gluons, which are the carriers of the strong nuclear force.
Gluons themselves are not made up of gluons; they are elementary particles similar to electrons. Gluons are the force-carrying particles for the strong nuclear force, which binds quarks together within protons, neutrons, and other particles that are affected by the strong interaction.
So, in summary, electrons are fundamental particles and not composed of smaller particles like quarks or gluons. Quarks make up protons and neutrons, while gluons mediate the strong nuclear force between quarks.