Ultrastructure

<p>Ultrastructure (or ultra-structure) is the architecture of cells and biomaterials that is visible at higher magnifications than found on a standard <a href="/facts/Optical_light_microscope/5700vcna">optical light microscope</a>. This traditionally meant the resolution and magnification range of a conventional <a href="/facts/Transmission_electron_microscope/Rpr8jpCn">transmission electron microscope</a> (TEM) when viewing biological specimens such as <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a>, <a href="/facts/Biological_tissue/H7CpML7A">tissue</a>, or <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organs</a>. Ultrastructure can also be viewed with <a href="/facts/Scanning_electron_microscopy/yzK0hsSx">scanning electron microscopy</a> and <a href="/facts/Super-resolution_microscopy/CeSvdSIQ">super-resolution microscopy</a>, although TEM is a standard <a href="/facts/Histology/yrI90zlU">histology</a> technique for viewing ultrastructure. Such cellular structures as <a href="/facts/Organelle/vhDFnGbs">organelles</a>, which allow the cell to function properly within its specified environment, can be examined at the ultrastructural level.
</p><p>Ultrastructure, along with <a href="/facts/Molecular_phylogeny/FysplHP5">molecular phylogeny</a>, is a reliable <a href="/facts/Phylogenetic/bw4rsovt">phylogenetic</a> way of classifying organisms. Features of ultrastructure are used industrially to control material properties and promote biocompatibility.
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Ultrastructure open-in-new

Ultrastructure