Paracrine signaling is a form of cell communication where a cell releases signaling molecules that affect nearby target cells. This process allows cells to coordinate their activities and respond to changes in their environment without affecting distant cells. The signaling molecules, often called cytokines or growth factors, diffuse through the extracellular space to reach their targets. This type of signaling is crucial in various biological processes, including immune responses, tissue repair, and development. Unlike endocrine signaling, which involves hormones traveling through the bloodstream to distant organs, paracrine signaling operates over shorter distances, making it a more localized form of communication.