What are the differences between intracellular enzymes and extracellular enzymes?

Basis Of Differentiation 

Intracellular Enzymes

Extracellular Enzymes

Definition 

Are enzymes that are produced and retained inside the cell to be used within the cell itself 

Are enzymes that are produced by the cell and released outside of the cell into the extracellular space for external use 

Also Known As

Endoenzymes 

Exoenzymes 

Location

May be found unbound in the cytoplasmic fluid or bound to specific organelles such as ribosomes, mitochondria, or nucleus

Found in the extracellular fluid outside in tissue spaces, body fluids such as saliva and blood, or organ cavities such as intestine and stomach 

Activity 

Function within the cell

Function outside the cell

Functions 

- Cellular respiration 

- DNA replication 

-  Protein synthesis

- Photosynthesis

- Intracellular digestion

- Extracellular digestion 

- Decomposition

- Decay

Mechanism of action

Break large polymer into small chains of monomer

Break lark polymer into small chain of monomer one at a time

Type of digestion 

Undergo intracellular digestion

Undergo extracellular digestion

Involvement 

Are responsible for the digestion of food particles inside the cytoplasm of unicellular organisms

Are responsible for the digestion of food inside the alimentary canal of higher animals and the extracellular digestion in decomposers such as bacteria and fungi

Proportions 

Account for the majority of enzymes

Account for the minority of enzymes

Examples 

- ATP synthetase 

- DNA polymerase

- RNA polymerase

- Salivary Amylase 

- Peptidase

- Sucrase

- Trypsin