Final answer:
Autocrine secretion primarily affects the signaling cell and sometimes neighboring similar cells but does not influence distant cells as endocrine signaling does.
Step-by-step explanation:
An autocrine secretion does not typically affect cells far away; instead, it acts on the signaling cell itself or sometimes on neighboring cells of the same type. The term autocrine refers to self-signaling, where a cell produces a ligand that binds to receptors on its own surface, prompting a response from the same cell that released it. This process is crucial in several biological functions, such as early development to ensure correct tissue formation, regulation of pain and inflammatory responses, and programmed cell death in case of viral infection. However, while autocrine signaling has significant effects at the local level, it is not designed to affect distant cells like hormones do in endocrine signaling.