Question

The same second messengers are used in many different cells, but the response to second messengers is different in each cell. How is this possible?

Short answer

Same second messengers are used in various cells but different cells produce different proteins, therefore, responding to different ligands and activating different pathways.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

Second messengers refer to the small non-protein molecules that are used to propagate signals within the cell by changing the behavior of some cellular protein. Examples of second messengers are cyclic APM, diacylglycerol, calcium ions, and inositol triphosphate.

Step 2. Explanation 

Different cells produce different types of proteins with cell-surface receptors and signaling pathway components. As a result, they respond to various ligands, and the second messenger initiates different pathways. The result of signaling can be altered through signal integration.