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Image Description  A biological signaling pathway involving…

Image Description  A biological signaling pathway involving a cellular membrane. The membrane is composed of a double layer of lipid molecules with embedded proteins. On the left side, there is a red, Y-shaped transmembrane receptor with a blue oval-shaped molecule bound to its exterior, representing a ligand binding site. This receptor interacts with a complex consisting of three smaller units (α, β, γ) located on the inner side of the membrane. The α unit is shown as a purple circle, while β and γ are shown as yellow and green circles, respectively. This complex is involved in transmitting signals from the receptor to other parts of the cell. To the right of the receptor, a yellow, mushroom-shaped protein is embedded in the membrane. The purple α unit from the complex detaches and binds to this protein. This interaction initiates further signaling within the cell. A sequence of signaling molecules is shown in the cytoplasm. First, a red oval molecule is linked to the yellow protein by a dashed line, indicating activation. This red molecule interacts with a series of orange rectangular proteins connected by black arrows, illustrating a signaling cascade. The final orange protein interacts with a green rectangle labeled “Protein” and a red circle with a “P,” denoting phosphorylation. This modification typically regulates the protein’s activity within the cell. The entire process illustrates how an external signal (ligand binding) is transmitted through the cell membrane via receptor activation, leading to a cascade of intracellular events that culminate in protein activation.