Final answer:
Intercellular signaling involves signals passing between different cells, whereas intracellular signaling occurs within a cell. The prefixes 'inter-' and 'intra-' hint at these meanings, indicating 'between' and 'inside,' respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between intercellular signaling and intracellular signaling involves the scope of cellular communication. Intercellular signaling pertains to the signals that pass between different cells, while intracellular signaling refers to the signals that occur within a single cell. This is analogous to how interdepartmental affairs involve interaction between different departments of an organization, whereas intradepartmental affairs focus on activities within a single department.
Intercellular signaling is communication between cells, and intracellular signaling is communication within a cell. The Latin prefixes give us clues to their meaning: 'inter-' means 'between,' while 'intra-' indicates 'inside.' Seeing this concept in action could involve hormones signaling between cells (intercellular) or a molecule inducing a cascade of reactions inside a cell (intracellular).
For instance, in the body's hormonal system, glands will release hormones (intercellular messages), which then travel through the bloodstream to reach target cells. Once a hormone binds to its target cell's receptor, it will trigger a response within that cell - initiating intracellular signaling pathways.