Differences between Enzymes and HormonesEnzymes are the biological catalyst which speed up the rate of biochemical reactions withoutundergoing any changes.

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

S.N. Enzymes Hormones

1.

Mostly enzymes perform

reactions at the place of

origin i.e. in cells where they

are produced.

Hormones perform activity at

some distance away from the

site of origin.

2.

Enzymes are biological

catalyst. They catalyze the

biological reactions.

Hormones are not catalyst.

They simply initiate

biochemical reactions.

3.

All enzymes are generally

proteins. There are some

exceptions like ribozymes

The hormones may be

polypeptides, terpenoids,

steroids, phenolics

(RNA with catalytic activity). compounds or amines.

4.

Enzymes are not translocate

from one part to another part

of cell.

Most of the hormones show

polar translocation.

5.

As enzymes are catalyst, at

the end of reaction they

remain unchanged and can

be reutilized.

As hormones are not catalyst,

they participate in biological

reaction and their chemical

composition is changed and

cannot be reutilized as such.

6.They are macromolecules

with higher molecular weight.

They have only low molecular

weight.

7.They are non-diffusible

through cell membrane.

They are diffusible through

cell membrane.

8.

They either act intracellularly

or carried by some ducts to

another site.

Generally carried by blood to

a target organ.

9.

It increases the rate of

metabolic physiological

processes.

They may be either excitatory

or inhibitory in their action.

10.They catalyze reversible

reactions.

Hormone controlled reactions

are not reversible.

11.

Reaction rate increases with

increase in their

concentration up to a limit.

Deficiency or overproduction

of hormone causes metabolic

disorders or diseases.

12. They act quickly.

Some hormones are quick

acting, while some are slow

acting with a lag period.

13.They are not used in

metabolic functions.

They are used up in

metabolic functions.

Generally regulate

14. They cannot regulate

morphogenesis.

morphogenesis, especially

secondary sex character.

15.

Examples:

– Oxidoreductases

– Transferases

– Hydrolases

Examples:

– Insulin,

– Glucagon,

– T3, T4,