chemical signal
/ˈkɛmɪkəl ˈsɪɡnəl/ · chem·i·cal sig·nal
noun
- A molecule released by an organism that influences the behavior or physiology of another organism, often used in the context of inter‑species communication. The ant colony follows a chemical signal left by foragers to locate food sources.
- A signaling molecule within a cell or between cells that initiates a biochemical response, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter. Insulin acts as a chemical signal that triggers glucose uptake in muscle cells.
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Did you know? The term gained prominence after the discovery of the first insect pheromone, bombykol, in 1959, which demonstrated that organisms could use invisible chemical signals to coordinate complex behaviors.