components and steps of cell signaling pathways
The following animation and journal entry provide more detail and cohesiveness to the subject
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/7/4/42745957/3398349_orig.jpg)
Step 1: A molecule attaches itself to a signal receptor on the surface of the cell, depending on which type of cell signaling is occurring, the molecule could be a neurotransmitter, a hormone or even another cell. (see types of cell communication for more information)
![Picture](/uploads/4/2/7/4/42745957/9177431.jpeg?1416979897)
Step 2: Once the molecule has attached to signal receptor, it causes a protein to become activated, which can then result in the activation of a myriad of proteins, which is also known as a phosphorylation cascade (for more information look at the responses and regulation tab). This series of protein activation results in the release of secondary messengers, such as cAMP.
Step 3: the final results of a cell signaling pathway is the cellular response, which entails an extremely broad range of cellular actions. Cells could respond by releasing a certain neurotransmitter (synaptic response); the cell could change conformation of its bilayer (phagocytosis) or it could even commit cell suicide.