Final answer:
Chemical messengers diffuse from signaling cells to nearby target cells in a process known as paracrine signaling, which is crucial for short-distance cellular communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which chemical messengers can travel from a signaling cell to nearby target cells by diffusion is called paracrine signaling. Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate over short distances, wherein signaling molecules, or ligands, move through the extracellular matrix and bind to receptors on target cells.
This binding initiates a signaling pathway or cascade that results in a series of events within the cells, ultimately leading to a cellular response. Such signaling is crucial for coordinating cellular activities and responses to various stimuli within an organism's body.