What do morphemes represent in language?

Morphemes represent the smallest meaningful units of language. They can be standalone words, like "cat" or "book," as well as prefixes or suffixes that modify the meaning of root words, such as "un-" in "unhappy" or "-s" in "cats." Understanding morphemes is crucial for analyzing how words are formed and how meaning is constructed in language. This knowledge aids in vocabulary development, as recognizing morphemes allows learners to decode new words and grasp their meanings by breaking them into recognizable parts. Hence, option B is the most accurate definition of what morphemes embody in linguistic studies.