What is the Difference Between Enzyme and Hormone?

Enzymes and hormones are both essential components in living organisms, but they serve different functions and have distinct characteristics. Here are the main differences between them:

1. Function: Enzymes act as catalysts to accelerate the rate of biochemical reactions, while hormones act as messengers that trigger functions in the body.
2. Chemical Composition: Most enzymes are proteins, while hormones can be composed of proteins, amino acids, or steroids.
3. Reaction Type: Enzymes are involved in digestion, while hormones are involved in metabolic activities.
4. Influence: Enzymes are not influenced by other enzymes, but hormones can be influenced by other hormones.
5. Amount: Enzymes are needed in larger amounts, while hormones are needed in smaller amounts.
6. Reutilization: Enzymes remain unchanged after a reaction and can be reutilized, while hormones participate in biological reactions and change their chemical composition, making them non-reusable.

Examples of enzymes include lipases, trypsin, amylase, and maltase, which are involved in digestion. Examples of hormones include estrogen, progesterone, insulin, growth hormone, and cortisol, which regulate various metabolic activities.

Comparative Table: Enzyme vs Hormone

Here is a table comparing the differences between enzymes and hormones:

In summary, enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions, while hormones are chemical messengers that transmit signals and triggers various functions in the body. Enzymes are involved in digestion and are influenced by external factors such as temperature and pH levels, while hormones are involved in metabolic activities and are not as affected by external factors. Enzymes are composed of proteins and are needed in larger amounts, while hormones can be composed of proteins, amino acids, or steroids and are needed in smaller amounts.