Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Cell signaling is a process in which cells communicate with each other to coordinate their actions. It involves the transmission of signals from one cell to another through chemical messengers or signal molecules.
Signal transduction is the process by which an extracellular signal is converted into an intracellular response. It involves a series of molecular events that amplify and transmit the signal within the cell.
Second Messenger: Second messengers are small molecules inside cells that relay signals from receptors on the cell surface to target molecules within the cell, amplifying and diversifying the initial signal.