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Second Messenger System

Meaning

The Second Messenger System describes the critical intracellular signaling pathway that transmits and amplifies the signal initiated by an extracellular hormone, or first messenger, binding to its receptor on the cell surface. These systems, such as cyclic AMP (cAMP) or calcium ions, rapidly relay the hormonal message to the cell’s interior, ultimately triggering a specific physiological response. This mechanism is characteristic of peptide and amine hormones, which are generally unable to cross the cell membrane directly. The process allows for significant signal amplification and fine-tuned cellular regulation.