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Secondary Messengers

Meaning

Small, non-protein molecules or ions within the cell that relay signals from receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell, facilitating the intracellular response to external stimuli like hormones. They are crucial for amplifying the initial signal and coordinating complex cellular processes such as metabolism, growth, and gene transcription. Common examples include cyclic AMP (cAMP), calcium ions, and inositol triphosphate (IP3).