Signal
Information transmitted between cells, organisms, or systems that triggers a response. Signals can be chemical (hormones, pheromones), electrical (nerve impulses), or physical (light, sound, touch).
Used in the Books
This term appears in 57 chapters:
"... and when each strategy applies to companies. Book 4: Information & Communication How organisms process information and coordinate action. Cells signal each other. Organs coordinate. Organisms communicate. You'll understand why certain organizational structures work at certain scales, how information..."
"...is studded with receptor proteins that detect external signals. Hormones bind to receptors and trigger cascades of internal responses. Growth factors signal cells to divide. Chemokines tell immune cells where to go. The membrane is how the cell knows what's happening outside and decides how to respond. W..."
"...s, releasing energy and converting ATP into ADP (adenosine diphosphate). That energy powers everything: muscle contractions, protein synthesis, nerve signals, membrane pumps, cell division. Then, the cell uses energy from food to reattach that third phosphate, converting ADP back into ATP."
"No concentration, no specialization, just expansion in all directions simultaneously. Rule 2: When to grow. Healthy cells respond to signals. When nutrients are scarce, they slow down. When space fills up, they stop. When damage occurs, they activate. Cancer cells ignore signals."
"...e their environment - and why evolution favored fewer, better receptors over more data. We'll examine the biological machinery of sensing (receptors, signal transduction, feedback loops), explore why some stress makes systems stronger (hormesis), and see how organisms adapt within their lifetime without c..."
And 52 more chapters...
Biological Context
Signaling coordinates all biological activity. Cells signal through molecules binding to receptors. Organisms signal through behavior, chemicals, and sounds. Signal strength, timing, and specificity determine the response. Noise—random variation—can interfere with signal detection.
Business Application
Business signals: information that triggers organizational response. Market signals, customer feedback, competitive moves. Signal detection—distinguishing meaningful information from noise—is a core organizational capability. False signals cause wasted responses; missed signals cause missed opportunities.