They don't shout.
They send chemical messages.
One of the quietest messengers behind this communication is inositol.
At first glance, inositol doesn't look very impressive. It's simply a six-carbon ring with six hydroxyl groups attached. Yet this modest structure became one of evolution's favorite molecular platforms.
By attaching phosphate groups in different positions, cells create an entire family of signaling molecules known as phosphoinositides. These molecules act like molecular switches, telling cells when to move, release hormones, transport nutrients, or respond to signals from their surroundings.
Global Chemical Database