Final answer:
Paracrine signaling is the transfer of information between cells within the same tissue through chemical messengers called ligands, which diffuse through the extracellular matrix to bind to receptors on nearby target cells, thereby initiating a signaling pathway.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of a chemical messenger to transfer information from one cell type to another cell type within a single tissue is referred to as paracrine signaling. Paracrine signaling involves the release of signal molecules by a signaling cell, which are then received by a nearby target cell.
These signal molecules, or ligands, diffuse through the extracellular matrix and bind to receptors on the target cells, triggering a signaling pathway or cascade of events within the cytoplasm to produce a specific response. This type of signaling is usually localized and quick, with ligands being rapidly degraded to ensure the response is short-lived and does not affect distant cells.