Final answer:
The correct order of steps in cell signaling is receptor activation, signal transduction, and finally the response, which leads to various cellular changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order for the steps in cell signaling is receptor activation, followed by signal transduction, and finally the response. Initially, a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor leading to receptor activation. This activation sets off a signaling pathway, often involving a cascade of enzymatic reactions, where molecules like second messengers relay the signal inside the cell.
Subsequently, during signal transduction, these molecules further propagate the signal through a series of interactions and chemical modifications such as phosphorylation. These events generate a cellular response, such as changes in metabolism, gene expression, or cell growth, which constitutes the final step in the signaling process.