sequential chain reaction where each step triggers the next, amplifying the initial signal
enzymatic cascades: blood clotting cascade amplifies a small injury signal into a full clot
signaling cascades: MAPK/ERK pathway transmits growth signals from cell surface to nucleus
trophic cascades: removal of a top predator restructures an entire ecosystem
failure cascades: one component failure overloads neighbors, causing systemic collapse (power grids, financial systems)
information cascades: individuals follow predecessors' choices, amplifying trends or errors
CSS cascade: rules inherit and override in a defined priority order
each step typically involves amplification: one molecule activates many, one failure triggers several