Important Difference between Hormones and Enzymes

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Hormones And Enzymes

Hormones and Enzymes play a vital role in our body by controlling and regulating many functions. Hormones are known as chemical messengers as they trigger many functions while enzymes are catalysts as they affect the rate of a reaction.

differences between Hormones And Enzymes

Enzymes	Hormones
Acts as a catalyst, i.e. accelerates the rate of a reaction	Acts as a messenger, i.e. Triggers functions in the body
Predominantly composed of proteins	Composed of proteins, amino acids, steroids, etc
Retains chemical make-up after use, hence can be reused	Chemical composition changes after use, hence may or may not be reused
External factors acutely affect the regulation of enzymes such as temperature, pH levels, etc	External factors do not affect hormones as acutely as enzymes.
Enzymes are not affected by age	Hormones are affected by age
Enzymes form and act at the site of production	Hormones form and act at different sites
Examples: Protease, amylase, and lipase are important enzymes for digestion	Examples: Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your circadian rhythm (sleep cycle)Insulin is another hormone that regulates blood sugar
Their diseases are less comparatively and mostly due to insufficiency.	Hormones changes cause many disorders. It can be due to excess or even insufficiency.
They are not used in metabolic functions rather take part in metabolism.	They are used up in metabolic functions.
Enzymes are in work after getting message from hormones.	They convey message and do not depend on enzyme for function.
Produced as a result of stimulation.	Act as a stimulating agent.
They catalyze reversible reactions.	Hormone controlled reactions are not reversible.
They are non-diffusible through cell membrane.	They are diffusible through cell membrane.
They are macromolecules with higher molecular weight.	They have comparatively a low molecular weight.
Salivary glands, Secretory cells in the stomach, pancreas and secretory glands in the small intestine.	Glands such as Pituitary, Pineal, Thymus, Adrenal, Thyroid, Pancreas.