Ultrastructure
(Redirected from Ultrastructural)
Ultrastructure is the architecture of cells that is visible at higher magnification than found on a standard optical microsope. This level of structure contains many biomolecular complexes and is fundamental to understanding cell function. The study of ultrastructure is called Ultrastructural Pathology. The term ultrastructure is used to describe all structures that can be observed using electron microscopy, including non-biological materials.
History[edit | edit source]
The term ultrastructure was first used in the early 20th century, and was used to describe the fine detail of biological systems that were observed using the electron microscope. The development of the electron microscope in the 1930s and its application to biological systems in the 1950s led to the discovery of many new structures and the elucidation of many biological processes.
Techniques[edit | edit source]
The main techniques used in the study of ultrastructure are Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). TEM allows for the observation of the internal structures of cells, while SEM provides detailed images of the surface of cells. Other techniques include Cryo-electron microscopy, which allows for the observation of biological samples at cryogenic temperatures, and Atomic Force Microscopy, which provides three-dimensional images of the surface of cells.
Cellular Ultrastructure[edit | edit source]
The ultrastructure of a cell refers to the detailed structure of the cell as revealed by the electron microscope. This includes the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton, and cell membrane. Each of these structures has a specific function and structure that is critical to the function of the cell.
Ultrastructural Pathology[edit | edit source]
Ultrastructural Pathology is a subspecialty of pathology that focuses on the ultrastructural analysis of cells and tissues to diagnose disease. This can include the identification of viruses, the analysis of kidney disease, and the diagnosis of certain types of cancer.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Ultrastructure Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD