Learn the difference between Hormones and Enzymes. The basis of comparison include: Description, nature, Production, function, biological reaction, examples, regulation, effect of temperature and PH, concentration, diffusion, molecular weight, activity and similarities.
The Key Differences
Description
Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism.
Hormones are special chemical messengers in the body that are created in the endocrine glands. They control most major bodily functions, from simple basic needs like hunger to complex systems like reproduction and even the emotions and mood.
Nature
All enzymes are generally proteins in nature whereas; the hormones may be polypeptides, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics compounds or amines.
Production
Enzymes are produced and secreted by exocrine glands whereas hormones are produced and secreted by endocrine glands.
Functionality
The function of hormones is dependent on positive and negative feedback reactions while the function of enzyme is dependent on the presence of substrate.
Biological Reaction
Enzymes are re-usable after a biochemical reaction whereas hormones degenerate after a biochemical reaction.
Molecular weight
Enzymes have a relatively large molecular weight when compared to the molecular weight of hormones.
Activity
Enzymes act at the same place of origin (in cells where they are produced). On the contrary, the site of action for hormones is far away from the site of synthesis.
Nature
Enzymes are biological catalysts. Their main function is to catalyze a biological reaction. Hormones on the other hand, are not catalyst, they simply initiate biochemical reaction.
Temperature and PH
The activity of enzymes is greatly affected by temperature and PH while the activity of hormones is not in any way affect by temperature and PH.
Examples
Examples of enzymes are hydrolase, polymerase, Amylase, lactase, alcohol dehydrogenase, oxidase and isomerase. Examples of hormones are adrenaline, Leteinizing hormone, insulin, glucagon, oxytosin, testosterone, estrogen, progestrone and cytokines.
Regulation
Regulation of enzymes is done by allosteric control, isoenzymes, covalent modification, proteolytic activation and protein turnover. On the other hand, regulation of hormones is done by the brain or external factors.
Diffusion
Enzymes cannot diffuse through cell membrane whereas; hormones easily diffuse through cell membrane.
Concentration
Enzymes act in low concentration, however, the rate of enzyme catalyzed reaction steadily increase with an increase in their concentration. Hormones on the other hand, are still effective in low concentration, however, excess or deficiency may cause disorders.
Variation
Enzymes remain the same in the entire life; they do not change with age. Hormones on the other hand, have a tendency to change with age.
End of Reaction
At the end of reaction enzyme does not change while hormones takes part in a reaction and have irreversible changes.
Also Read: Difference Between ADH And Aldosterone
Difference Between Hormones And Enzymes In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | ENZYMES | HORMONES |
| Description | Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism. | Hormones are special chemical messengers in the body that are created in the endocrine glands. They control most major bodily functions, from simple basic needs like hunger to complex systems like reproduction and even the emotions and mood. |
| Nature | All enzymes are generally proteins in nature. | The hormones may be polypeptides, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics compounds or amines. |
| Production | Enzymes are produced and secreted by exocrine glands. | Hormones are produced and secreted by endocrine glands. |
| Functionality | The function of hormones is dependent on positive and negative feedback reactions. | The function of enzyme is dependent on the presence of substrate. |
| Biological Reaction | Enzymes are re-usable after a biochemical reaction. | Hormones degenerate after a biochemical reaction. |
| Molecular Weight | Enzymes have a relatively large molecular weight when compared to hormones. | Hormones have a relatively small molecular weight when compared to enzymes. |
| Activity | Enzymes act at the same place of origin (in cells where they are produced. | The site of action for hormones is far away from the site of synthesis. |
| Nature | Enzymes are biological catalysts. Their main function is to catalyze a biological reaction. | Hormones on the other hand, are not catalyst, they simply initiate biochemical reaction. |
| Temperature and PH | The activity of enzymes is greatly affected by temperature and PH. | The activity of hormones is not in any way affect by temperature and PH. |
| Examples | Examples of enzymes are hydrolase, polymerase, Amylase, lactase, alcohol dehydrogenase, oxidase and isomerase. | Examples of hormones are adrenaline, Leteinizing hormone, insulin, glucagon, oxytosin, testosterone, estrogen, progestrone and cytokines. |
| Regulation | Regulation of enzymes is done by allosteric control, isoenzymes, covalent modification, proteolytic activation and protein turnover. | Regulation of hormones is done by the brain or external factors. |
| Diffusion | Enzymes cannot diffuse through cell membrane. | Hormones easily diffuse through cell membrane. |
| Concentration | Enzymes act in low concentration, however, the rate of enzyme catalyzed reaction steadily increase with an increase in their concentration. | Hormones on the other hand, are still effective in low concentration, however, excess or deficiency may cause disorders. |
| Variation | Enzymes remain the same in the entire life; they do not change with age. | Hormones on the other hand, have a tendency to change with age. |
| End of Reaction | At the end of reaction enzyme does not change | Hormones take part in a reaction and have irreversible changes. |
Summary
Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism.
Hormones are special chemical messengers in the body that are created in the endocrine glands. They control most major bodily functions, from simple basic needs like hunger to complex systems like reproduction and even the emotions and mood.