Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Resolution (structural biology)
open-in-new
<p>Resolution in the context of <a href="/facts/Structural_biology/XRkPtHYv">structural biology</a> is the ability to distinguish the presence or absence of <a href="/facts/Atom/FoQ4kGN5">atoms</a> or groups of atoms in a <a href="/facts/Biomolecule/DGvFzN7R">biomolecular</a> structure. Usually, the structure originates from methods such as <a href="/facts/X-ray_crystallography/WtI0F5DN">X-ray crystallography</a>, <a href="/facts/Electron_crystallography/RIMzhXpa">electron crystallography</a>, or <a href="/facts/Cryogenic_electron_microscopy/Hjbcf4Ec">cryo-electron microscopy</a>. The resolution is measured of the "map" of the structure produced from <a href="/facts/Experiment/esltM54f">experiment</a>, where an atomic model would then be fit into. Due to their different natures and interactions with matter, in <a href="/facts/X-ray/wseP79cN">X-ray</a> methods the map produced is of the <a href="/facts/Electron_density/L5yDsk6j">electron density</a> of the system (usually a <a href="/facts/Crystal_structure/bJ4bCeHd">crystal</a>), whereas in <a href="/facts/Electron/L0KBo5cW">electron</a> methods the map is of the <a href="/facts/Electrostatic_potential/Nmqm6hm5">electrostatic potential</a> of the system. In both cases, atomic positions are assumed similarly. </p>