Final answer:
Signal transduction is the process by which a cell communicates a message to perform a biological process, involving a signaling pathway that includes phosphorylation and the use of second messengers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The communication of a message telling a cell to perform a biological process is known as signal transduction. Signal transduction is the continuation of a signal that occurs when a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor and the message is transmitted through the membrane into the cytoplasm, initiating a series of events within the cell, often referred to as a signaling pathway or cascade.
This could involve the activation or inactivation of certain proteins through phosphorylation and the release of second messengers. It is critical to the ability of cells to process information from their environment and respond appropriately, affecting various cellular responses, including the regulation of gene expression which may include transcription and translation of RNA and proteins.