AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Signaling molecules are often called ligands, a general term for molecules that bind specifically to other molecules (such as receptors). The message carried by a ligand is often relayed through a chain of chemical messengers inside the cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ligand is a chemical messenger released by one cell to signal either itself or a different cell. The binding results in a cellular effect, which manifests as any number of changes in that cell, including altering gene transcription or translation or changing cell morphology.

Detailed explanation-3: -A ligand is a molecule that binds another specific molecule, in some cases, delivering a signal in the process. Ligands can thus be thought of as signaling molecules. Ligands interact with proteins in target cells, which are cells that are affected by chemical signals; these proteins are also called receptors.

Detailed explanation-4: -ligand. A ligand is a small molecule that specifically binds to a larger one.

Detailed explanation-5: -A ligand that can bind to and alter the function of the receptor that triggers a physiological response is called a receptor agonist. Ligands that bind to a receptor but fail to activate the physiological response are receptor antagonists.