The general mechanism of a signal transduction pathway involves:
1. Signal Reception: An extracellular molecule, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter, binds to a receptor on the cell surface. 2. Signal Transduction: The receptor undergoes a conformational change, activating an intracellular cascade involving second messengers. 3. Signal Amplification: The signal is amplified through a series of enzymatic reactions. 4. Signal Response: The amplified signal triggers a specific cellular response, such as gene expression, secretion, or cell division. 5. Signal Termination: Mechanisms are in place to terminate the signal, ensuring that the response is appropriately regulated.
