Final answer:
Prostaglandins are responsible for intercellular signals and act as cofactors, serving as local hormones that coordinate responses between cells, such as inducing inflammation necessary for healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lipid that is responsible for intercellular signals and cofactors is d) Prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are derived from unsaturated fatty acids and act as local hormones having a wide range of functions, including involvement in inflammation, pain, fever modulation, and as mediators in the process of labor. They are known to serve as signaling molecules, coordinating biological processes between different cells.
For example, prostaglandins are created at sites of tissue damage or infection and cause inflammation, which leads to the healing of the tissue. They work by binding to specific receptors on the target cells and initiating a response. Unlike steroid hormones, which are also signaling molecules but generally have systemic effects, prostaglandins usually have localized effects.