Ordered structures refer to systems or arrangements where elements are organized in a specific sequence or hierarchy. This can be seen in various contexts, such as mathematics, where numbers are arranged in ascending or descending order, or in data organization, where information is sorted based on certain criteria. In nature, ordered structures can be observed in the formation of crystals, where atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern. Similarly, in computer science, data structures like arrays and linked lists maintain a defined order, allowing for efficient data retrieval and manipulation.