Differences between enzymes and hormones

9/3/2015

Differences between Enzymes and Hormones

Differences between Enzymes and Hormones Enzymes are the biological catalyst which speed up the rate of biochemical reactions without undergoing any changes.

Hormones are molecules, usually a peptide (eg: insulin) or steroid (eg: estrogen) that is produced in one part of an organisms and triggers a specific cellular reactions in target tissues and organs some distance away.

S.N.

Enzymes Mostly enzymes perform

1.

reactions at the place of origin i.e. in cells where they are produced.

2.

3.

Hormones Hormones perform activity at some distance away from the site of origin.

Enzymes are biological

Hormones are not catalyst.

catalyst. They catalyze the

They simply initiate

biological reactions.

biochemical reactions.

All enzymes are generally

The hormones may be

proteins. There are some

polypeptides, terpenoids,

exceptions like ribozymes

steroids, phenolics

(RNA with catalytic activity).

compounds or amines.

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9/3/2015

Differences between Enzymes and Hormones

4.

from one part to another part

Most of the hormones show

of cell.

polar translocation.

As hormones are not

5.

As enzymes are catalyst, at

catalyst, they participate in

the end of reaction they

biological reaction and their

remain unchanged and can

chemical composition is

be reutilized.

changed and cannot be reutilized as such.

6.

7.

They are macromolecules

They have only low

with higher molecular weight.

molecular weight.

They are non­diffusible

They are diffusible through

through cell membrane.

cell membrane.

They either act intracellularly 8.

or carried by some ducts to another site.

9.

10.

11.

Generally carried by blood to a target organ.

It increases the rate of

They may be either

metabolic physiological

excitatory or inhibitory in their

processes.

action.

They catalyze reversible

Hormone controlled reactions

reactions.

are not reversible.

Reaction rate increases with

Deficiency or overproduction

increase in their

of hormone causes metabolic

concentration up to a limit.

disorders or diseases.

Some hormones are quick

12.

They act quickly.

acting, while some are slow acting with a lag period.

13.

14.

They are not used in

They are used up in

metabolic functions.

metabolic functions.

They cannot regulate morphogenesis.

Examples:

Generally regulate morphogenesis, especially secondary sex character.

Examples:

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Differences between Enzymes and Hormones

15.

– Oxidoreductases

– Insulin,

– Transferases

– Glucagon,

– Hydrolases

– T3, T4,

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