Final answer:
Chemical communications, such as those related to reproductive status in species, occur through hormone-like chemicals called ligands, which are small molecules that bind to specific receptors in target cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical communication occurs through hormone-like chemicals called ligands. These are small, usually volatile or soluble molecules that bind specifically to receptors on target cells, which are cells that are affected by these chemical signals. Hormones are a type of ligand that are secreted by endocrine cells and travel through the bloodstream to affect distant cells.
The effects of hormones are widespread and they are crucial for regulating a variety of physiological processes. Among the different forms of signaling present in multicellular organisms are paracrine signaling, endocrine signaling, autocrine signaling, and direct signaling across gap junctions. It is critical to understand that only cells with the specific receptors for a given hormone will be affected by it.