Editing Ultrastructure (section)

{{Short description|Detail hidden to optical microscopes}}
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[[Image:Bacillus subtilis.jpg|thumb|right|The ultrastructure of a single [[Bacterium|bacterial cell]] (''[[Bacillus subtilis]]''). The scale bar is 200 [[nanometer|nm]].]]

'''Ultrastructure''' (or '''ultra-structure''') is the architecture of cells and biomaterials that is visible at higher magnifications than found on a standard [[optical light microscope]]. This traditionally meant the resolution and magnification range of a conventional [[transmission electron microscope]] (TEM) when viewing biological specimens such as [[Cell (biology)|cell]]s, [[biological tissue|tissue]], or [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]]s. Ultrastructure can also be viewed with [[scanning electron microscopy]] and [[super-resolution microscopy]], although TEM is a standard [[histology]] technique for viewing ultrastructure. Such cellular structures as [[organelle]]s, which allow the cell to function properly within its specified environment, can be examined at the ultrastructural level.

Ultrastructure, along with [[molecular phylogeny]], is a reliable [[phylogenetic]] way of classifying organisms.<ref>{{Cite Q| Q21090155|doi-access=free}}</ref> Features of ultrastructure are used industrially to control material properties and promote biocompatibility.