Article
Article
Signal transduction
Article By:
Ram, Prahlad T. Department of Pharmacology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Iyengar, Dr Ravi Department of Pharmacology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.757656
The transmission of molecular signals from a cell's exterior to its interior. Molecular signals are transmitted between cells by the secretion of hormones and other chemical factors, which are then picked up by different cells. Sensory signals are also received from the environment, in the form of light, taste, sound, smell, and touch. The ability of an organism to function normally is dependent on all the cells of its different organs communicating effectively with their surroundings. Once a cell picks up a hormonal or sensory signal, it must transmit this information from the surface to the interior parts of the cell—for example, to the nucleus. The cell then uses this information to respond in an appropriate manner. See also: Hormone
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