Final answer:
The transduction part refers to the biochemical events that transfer a signal inside a cell, involving protein phosphorylation by kinases and the action of second messengers like cAMP and calcium ions, leading to a specific cellular response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transduction in the signal transduction process refers to the series of biochemical events that conduct a signal from a cell's surface to its interior, resulting in a cellular response. During this process, binding of a ligand to a cell's receptor triggers the propagation of the signal through various intracellular molecules. A key mechanism within this pathway includes the activation and phosphorylation of proteins by enzymes known as kinases, transforming the shape and activity levels of proteins, consequently affecting cellular function.
Another critical aspect involves second messengers, which are small, non-protein molecules like calcium ions (Ca²+), cyclic AMP (cAMP), diacylglycerol (DAG), and inositol triphosphate (IP₃), that serve to relay the signal inside the cell. The precise sequence of steps in a signaling pathway ensures that the cell responds appropriately to the initial signal.