Final answer:
Intercellular communication involves the binding of a signaling molecule to a specific receptor on the target cell, which triggers a series of reactions leading to a cellular response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intercellular communication can occur through the binding of a chemical released from one cell to a specific receptor on another cell. Cells use signaling pathways to coordinate activities and processes, and they can communicate through both direct physical contact and via chemical signaling over short or long distances. A receptor on the target cell has a specific extracellular domain that binds to signaling molecules (ligands), such as hormones or neurotransmitters, which initiates a cellular response through a process that includes reception, signal transduction, and response.