Hormone vs Enzyme: What Sets Them Apart in Biology?
To maintain, control, manage, and direct every physiological and anatomical function of the body, it requires the action of certain chemicals. From digesting the food eaten to helping in deep sleep, these chemicals called hormones and enzymes have a significant part in a human’s day - to - day - life.
We are about to look at the 2 important categories of these bodily chemicals, namely enzymes and hormones, with examples. We will also understand the difference between hormone and enzyme, along with its features.
Enzymes vs Hormones
Enzymes are a type of catalyst that helps in processing a bodily reaction. This means enzymes do not change in their form or function but instead help to increase the rate of a particular reaction. Enzymes are produced in the Exocrine glands such as sweat and saliva. Trypsin, amylase, maltase are some of the other examples of enzymes.
On the other hand, hormones are chemical messengers that trigger the reaction to occur. Hormones are varied in their form, and some of the prominent ones include steroids, amino acids, and even a few protein structures. Body hormones process the pituitary and thyroid glands from the endocrine glands.
Hormones and enzymes are also present in plants and animals, but the secretion and purpose vary in both. One of the key features that differentiate hormones from enzymes lies in their chemical composition. Some of the other contrasting features in a hormone vs enzyme include the following.
Enzymes can be described as a type of catalyst which helps in processing a bodily reaction. In other words, enzymes do not change in their form or function but it helps in increasing the rate of a particular reaction. Enzymes are produced in the Exocrine glands like sweat and saliva. Trypsin, amylase, and maltase are some other examples of enzymes.
Hormones are chemical messengers which trigger the reactions to occur. Hormones are varied in their form, and some prominent hormones include the steroids, the amino acids, and some protein structures also. Body hormones are known to process the pituitary and thyroid glands from the endocrine glands.
Hormones and enzymes are known to be present in plants and animals, but the secretion and purpose of both are different. A key feature that differentiates hormones from the enzymes lies in their chemical composition. Some of the other contrasting features in a hormone vs enzyme include the following.
The main influencing factor that affects hormones is Puberty, which causes lots of changes and alterations in a person unlike the Enzymes, which are not linked to any kind of age factor and they do not change or get affected.
The enzymes possess high molecular weight as compared to a hormone as they are macromolecules. Morphogenesis or, more commonly known as the growth of certain body parts, is not facilitated through Enzymes. On the other hand, hormones can regulate the same (for example - secondary sex characteristics of a human being).
Hormones are chemicals that are released into the bloodstream in order to circulate the message to different organs of the body. This helps the organs and tissues of the body to function.
Reactions of Enzymes are based on their vitamin compounds and on various other inorganic prosthetic groups. Otherwise, they cannot function. Hormones, on the other hand, do not require any prosthetic groups.
Hormones help in the communication between tissues. Hormones also play a major role in enabling certain activities such as tissue functions, digestion, sleep, metabolism, stress indications, respiration, excretion, reproduction, mood manipulations, growth and development, maintenance of body temperature, and thirst. These are found in multicellular organisms as they are produced by glands in multicellular organisms.
The Difference Between Enzymes and Hormones
The human body requires the action of chemicals in order to be able to control, maintain, manage and direct each and every physiological and anatomical function of the body. Hormones and enzymes are required for every organ to function well. From helping to aid in the process of digestion to getting good sleep, the various enzymes and hormones play a vital role.
As stated above, enzymes are biological catalysts, and they do change in their composition. They will help in increasing the pace of a reaction or function. Whereas, hormones are molecules or majorly protein contents that trigger a function to happen inside the body.
Hormones can diffuse inside a cell membrane, but enzymes cannot.
Enzymes are created and act only on 1 particular site. However, hormones are flexible and can possibly be formed in more than 1 site.
Enzymes act based on their vitamin compounds and other inorganic prosthetic groups, without which they cannot function. Yet, hormones do not require any prosthetic groups.
Puberty (physical maturity in males and females) is the main influencing factor that affects hormones, causing changes and alterations in the person. Yet, enzymes are not linked to age factors and do not change or get affected.
Since enzymes are macromolecules, they possess high molecular weight as compared to a hormone.
Morphogenesis (growth of certain body parts) is not facilitated through enzymes but hormones can regulate the same (for example - secondary sex characteristics of a human being).
The blood carries hormones to a specific target organ. In the case of enzymes, they reach their site either through the support of ducts or through intracellular movements.
The reaction time of enzymes is usually quick. But hormones are both slow (lag time) and fast depending on their purpose, target, and composition.
The chemical order of enzymes is not altered and hence reusable for other purposes. But the chemical make-up of hormones is modified after single-use and cannot be reused.
External factors such as pH levels, temperature, air pressure, activators, substrate concentration, all affect enzymes, and their regulation. But hormones are rigid to these factors and remain constant to changes in the environment.
Enzymes attack a substrate, and hormones attack the tissues or cells of the body.
Conclusion
The rate of processing and the way a function is controlled are both important. Hormones and enzymes play their roles in the same and are equally significant to the proper development and functioning of the body. From triggering and processing to correctly handling and sending messages for a chemical reaction, enzymes and hormones are critical to human living and existence.
FAQs on Hormone vs Enzyme: What Sets Them Apart in Biology?
1. What is the main difference between a hormone and an enzyme in biology?
The primary difference lies in their function and site of action. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions within or near the cells that produce them. Hormones, on the other hand, are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream to act on distant target organs and tissues, regulating various physiological processes.
2. What are the key characteristics of a hormone?
Hormones are non-nutrient chemical messengers produced in trace amounts by endocrine glands. They are transported via the bloodstream to specific target cells or organs where they bind to receptors and trigger a specific cellular response. Their action is generally slow but long-lasting, and they regulate processes like growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction. For example, insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
3. What defines an enzyme and its function?
An enzyme is a protein (or in some cases, RNA) that acts as a biocatalyst. It increases the rate of a specific biochemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Enzymes have a unique three-dimensional structure with an 'active site' where the substrate binds. Their function is highly specific, meaning one type of enzyme typically catalyses only one type of reaction. For example, the enzyme lipase specifically breaks down fats (lipids).
4. Why are enzymes called 'biological catalysts' while hormones are 'chemical messengers'?
This distinction highlights their fundamental roles. An enzyme is a 'catalyst' because its main job is to accelerate a reaction that might otherwise be too slow to support life. It facilitates a process locally. A hormone is a 'messenger' because its primary function is to transmit a signal or instruction from one part of the body to another, coordinating the activities of different organs. It doesn't catalyse the final reaction itself but initiates the command for it.
5. Where are hormones and enzymes produced in the body?
Hormones are produced by endocrine glands (e.g., pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands) and are secreted directly into the bloodstream. Enzymes are produced by exocrine glands (e.g., salivary glands, pancreas) which release them through ducts, or they are produced and used within the cells themselves for metabolic processes like respiration.
6. Are all enzymes proteins and are all hormones steroids?
This is a common point of confusion. While most enzymes are proteins, not all are; some RNA molecules called ribozymes can also act as catalysts. Hormones are more chemically diverse. They can be:
Peptides or Proteins: like Insulin and Glucagon.
Steroids: like Testosterone and Oestrogen, which are derived from cholesterol.
Amino acid derivatives: like Thyroxine.
Therefore, there is no single chemical class for all hormones.
7. How does the molecular weight and reusability differ between hormones and enzymes?
Enzymes are generally complex proteins with a very high molecular weight. They remain unchanged after a reaction and are reusable. Hormones, in contrast, typically have a lower molecular weight. They are degraded or chemically altered after they have delivered their message and completed their function, so they are not reusable.
8. Can a single organ produce both hormones and enzymes?
Yes, the pancreas is a perfect example of a heterocrine gland. Its exocrine part produces digestive enzymes like trypsin and amylase, which are released into the small intestine. Its endocrine part (Islets of Langerhans) produces hormones like insulin and glucagon, which are released directly into the blood to regulate glucose levels.
9. How does the effect of a deficiency differ for an enzyme versus a hormone?
A deficiency in an enzyme typically leads to a specific metabolic disorder, where a particular substance cannot be broken down or synthesised, leading to its accumulation or absence. For example, lactase deficiency causes lactose intolerance. A hormone deficiency often causes a more widespread, systemic issue affecting multiple organs and functions, such as growth defects (due to low growth hormone) or metabolic slowdown (due to low thyroid hormone).
10. Do external factors like diet and stress affect enzymes and hormones differently?
Yes, they do. Hormone levels are highly sensitive to external factors. For instance, stress can elevate cortisol levels, and diet impacts insulin secretion. Enzyme activity is more directly affected by internal physical conditions like temperature and pH. While diet provides the substrates for enzymes to work on, the production and function of hormones are more closely tied to the body's overall response to its external environment.
