What are the differences between hormones and enzymes?

Question

Accepted Answer

Hormone and enzyme are two substances produced by plants and animals, which help to regulate various functions in the body. There are several significant differences between these two substances.

Basis of differentiation

Hormones

Enzymes

Definition

Are regulatory substances that are produced in one part of an organism and transported through tissue fluids, triggering specific cellular reactions in target tissues and organs in other parts of the organism

Are biological catalysts that bring about biological reactions without undergoing any changes in their composition or structure

Mode of action

Act as messengers that stimulate various functions in the body

Act as catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction

Production site

Produced by endocrine glands such as thyroid and pituitary glands

Produced by exocrine glands such as gastric glands and salivary glands

Effect of age on production

Production is affected by age such as in puberty

Production is not affected by age

Sites of production and action

The site of action is different from the production site

The site of action is the same as the production site

Functions

Have diverse functions related to regulating growth, development, and reproduction

Have unique but essential functions in the body

Molecular weight

Have low molecular weight

Have relatively higher molecular weight

Chemical composition

May be composed of proteins, amino acids or steroids

Predominantly composed of proteins

Chemical stability

Chemical composition changes during the process so they cannot be reused in most cases

Chemical composition remains the same during the process so they can be reused

Regulation

Are regulated by the brain or external factors

Are regulated by allosteric control, protein turnover, covalent modification, proteolytic activation, and isoenzymes

Effect of temperature and pH

Not affected by temperature, pH, or other external factors

Significantly affected by temperature, pH levels, and other external factors

Diffusion through cell membrane

Can diffuse through the cell membrane

Cannot diffuse through the cell membrane

Examples

- Insulin 
- Melatonin 
- Cortisol
- Estrogen

- Oxidases
- Hydrolases
- Isomerases

Basis of differentiation	Hormones	Enzymes
Definition	Are regulatory substances that are produced in one part of an organism and transported through tissue fluids, triggering specific cellular reactions in target tissues and organs in other parts of the organism	Are biological catalysts that bring about biological reactions without undergoing any changes in their composition or structure
Mode of action	Act as messengers that stimulate various functions in the body	Act as catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction
Production site	Produced by endocrine glands such as thyroid and pituitary glands	Produced by exocrine glands such as gastric glands and salivary glands
Effect of age on production	Production is affected by age such as in puberty	Production is not affected by age
Sites of production and action	The site of action is different from the production site	The site of action is the same as the production site
Functions	Have diverse functions related to regulating growth, development, and reproduction	Have unique but essential functions in the body
Molecular weight	Have low molecular weight	Have relatively higher molecular weight
Chemical composition	May be composed of proteins, amino acids or steroids	Predominantly composed of proteins
Chemical stability	Chemical composition changes during the process so they cannot be reused in most cases	Chemical composition remains the same during the process so they can be reused
Regulation	Are regulated by the brain or external factors	Are regulated by allosteric control, protein turnover, covalent modification, proteolytic activation, and isoenzymes
Effect of temperature and pH	Not affected by temperature, pH, or other external factors	Significantly affected by temperature, pH levels, and other external factors
Diffusion through cell membrane	Can diffuse through the cell membrane	Cannot diffuse through the cell membrane
Examples	Insulin Melatonin Cortisol Estrogen	Oxidases Hydrolases Isomerases

Basis of differentiation

Hormones

Enzymes

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