The MAPK pathway is a signal transduction pathway that responds to extracellular stimuli and regulates various cellular processes. It involves a phosphorylation cascade from MAPKKK to MAPKK to MAPK that ultimately regulates transcription factors and gene expression. Second messengers like cAMP, IP3, and calcium amplify extracellular signals and allow cross-talk between different pathways. The MAPK pathway controls processes like cell growth, division, survival, and metabolism.